Neglected Tropical Diseases

Why in news?

• The ongoing 74th World Health Assembly declared 30th January as ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day.
  • The proposal to recognise the day was floated by the United Arab Emirates. It was adopted unanimously by the delegates. The first World NTD Day was celebrated informally in 2020.
• The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of World Health Organization (WHO).

About Neglected Tropical Diseases:

• NTDs are a group of infections that are most common among marginalised communities in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
• They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
• NTDs are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
• These diseases generally receive less funding for research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS and malaria.
• Examples:
  • Snakebite envenomation, scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease etc.
• NTDs affect more than a billion people globally.
• They are preventable and treatable. However, these diseases - and their intricate interrelationships with poverty and ecological systems - continue to cause devastating health, social and economic consequences.
• There are 20 NTDs that impact over 1.7 billion people worldwide.
• India carries the largest burden of at least 11 of these diseases, with parasitic illnesses like kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis affecting millions of people throughout the country – often the poorest and most vulnerable.

London Declaration on NTDs:

• It was adopted on 30th January, 2012 to recognise the global burden of NTDs.
• Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, representatives from leading global pharmaceutical companies as well as representatives of several national governments met at London’s Royal College of physicians to pledge to end the diseases.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Neglected Tropical Diseases’:

1. They are not recognized by WHO

2. These diseases generally receive less funding for research and treatment

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer