Global roadmap for the eradication of meningitis
Recently, a Global roadmap has been released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partner organizations to eradicate the meningitis epidemic by 2030.
This is the first global strategy to eradicate meningitis.
It aims to end the bacterial meningitis epidemic, and to reduce deaths by 70% and the number of infections in half.
Goals of the new roadmap:
- Higher vaccination coverage, development of new affordable vaccines, and building better prevention strategies and response to outbreaks.
- Prompt detection of infection and optimal treatment for patients. Good statistics to guide prevention and control efforts.
- With a focus on care and support for those affected, early detection of disease and subsequent better access and support to medical care.
- Make recommendations and contracts to ensure higher awareness of meningitis, accountability for national plans, and affirm the right to preventive, medical-care, and beyond services.
Importance:
This strategy could save more than 200,000 lives annually and significantly reduce disability caused by the disease.
About meningitis:
- Meningitis is primarily an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- This disease is mainly caused by bacterial and viral infections.
- Meningitis disease caused by bacterial infection causes about 250,000 deaths per year, and can also take the form of a rapidly spreading epidemic.
- One in ten people affected by the disease die, and every fifth person suffers from a long-term disability, most of them children and young people.
Source – The Hindu
