By: Yunus S. Saliu
The Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Programme of the Ministry of Health joined by the One Health and Africa (CDC) Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention among other partners on Friday converged at the Central Medical Stores, Kotu to celebrate Neglected Tropical Disease Day under the theme Unite-Act-Eliminate.
Addressing the gathering, Balla Jatta of health ministry noted that on 31st May 2021, the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly recognized 30th January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day through the unanimous approval of decision WHA74(18) by WHO Member States.
He noted that the day is now one of the 11 Global Health Days and 2 Global Health Weeks recognized by WHO.
He said that this year, people gathered under the theme Unite-Act-Eliminate to address the profound impact of these ancient diseases of poverty that affect over 1 billion people worldwide.
Neglected Tropical diseases, he continued, nestled in the shadows of neglect, and imposed a devastating human, social, and economic burden, primarily afflicting the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in tropical and subtropical regions.
He noted that the African Region bears close to 40% of the global burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and sub-Saharan Africa makes up 90% of the disease burden while NTDs cause immeasurable suffering by debilitating, disfiguring, and can be fatal.
NCDs, he explained, are common in tropical countries, lack public health attention at global and national levels, and mainly affect people living in poverty, with inadequate access to clean water, basic sanitation, and health care.
However, The Gambia, in solidarity with the global community, acknowledges the challenges posed by 15 identified NTDs within its borders, and key among these are schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, leprosy, scabies, rabies, snake bite envenoming, and fungal infection, he outlined some of the diseases
“So far, 50 countries have eliminated an NTD, showing progress is possible. In 2020, 600 million fewer people required interventions against NTDs than in 2010. Yet, for some time, a lack of resources has been seen as a significant barrier to the control, elimination, and eradication of NTDs,” he disclosed
He added that the challenge has only been intensified by COVID-19, which has caused severe delays and disruption to NTD programs, as well as a massive repurposing and diversion of resources.
Mr. Amadou Woury Jallow, Program Coordinator, Epidemiology’s Disease Control delivered the opening remarks while Sherifo MK, Focal Person of One Health, and Dr. Pius Onomgwe, National Coordinator of Africa CDC The Gambia, among others, also delivered speeches.