Neglected Tropical Diseases: NTD
On the occasion of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, there has been a call for equal health services for all.
The theme of the 2022 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day is ‘Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases’.
Under this, emphasis has been laid on strengthening interventions to promote equitable health services for all.
In the year 2021, the 74th World Health Assembly declared 30 January every year as World NTD Day. The first World NTD Day was celebrated unofficially in the year 2020.
NTD medically refers to 20 different and communicable diseases. These diseases are common in marginalized communities in developing regions of the continents of Africa, Asia and the Americas. These diseases are prevalent in tropical regions.
NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
Effects of NTD
- At least over a billion people are currently suffering from one or the other NTD.
- These diseases cause about two lakh deaths every year in the world. In addition, there is a loss of approximately 19 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS) (i.e., years of healthy life lost due to disability).
- Victims of these diseases face disability, stigma, social exclusion and discrimination.
Measures taken to eliminate NTD:
- Kigali declaration on neglected tropical diseases
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an effective framework for the successful elimination of NTDs.
India has successfully eradicated some infectious diseases like Guinea worm, Trachoma and Yaws.
Source – The Hindu
