Africa CDC launches continental blueprint to combat endemic, neglected tropical diseases

Good news! African countries are taking matters in their own hands!

"African countries, under the leadership of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), have endorsed a new continental strategic plan as a blueprint to tackle endemic and neglected tropical diseases across Africa.

The new strategic plan was endorsed by Africa Union (AU) members during a high-level gathering convened by the Africa CDC from Nov. 27 to 29 in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. Delegates from all AU members came together to review and approve the continental blueprint for 2024-2027 aimed at combating endemic and neglected tropical diseases, according to a statement issued by the Africa CDC late Thursday. ..."

Africa CDC launches continental blueprint to combat endemic, neglected tropical diseases » Capital News "Data from the AU’s specialized healthcare agency show that infectious diseases continue to have a disproportionate impact in Africa, with the continent accounting for 94 percent of global malaria cases and 95 percent of malaria-related deaths. Additionally, the continent bears 40 percent of the global burden of neglected tropical diseases, with all African countries facing at least one endemic neglected tropical disease."

Credits: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Global Health NOW

Over 165 million Nigerians need treatment for Neglected Tropical Diseases - Study. Really!

This article was featured in today's Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Global Health NOW newsletter!

It is a typical sensationalism, alarmism and hysteria type of article! Or was it written to attract funding from gullible donors?

I was not able to quickly find the study about Nigeria!

What is the total population of Nigeria? About 214 million. So either the so called Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) are generally fairly harmless or e.g. some serious overcounting most likely took place.

"... The study which was commissioned by the END Fund and conducted by Deloitte Nigeria, said the Nigerian economy stands to reap $18.9 billion from its citizens and increased productivity if elimination of NTDs is achieved by 2030. ..."

Over 165 million Nigerians need treatment for Neglected Tropical Diseases - Study | The ICIR OVER 165 million Nigerians, representing 84 per cent of the country’s population, currently need treatment for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), according to Nigeria’s NTDs Economic Impact Study.

The Impact Of Neglected Tropical Diseases Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases that affect more than 1.7 billion people, including more than 1 billion children. Over 40% of the global NTD burden is concentrated in Africa, where the END Fund focuses the majority of our work.

WHO Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023

African Union pledges to end 20 neglected tropical diseases By 2030

Good news!

"The African Union and Uniting to Combat NTDs signed an agreement this week to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) across the AU Member States by 2030. ...

NTDs are a group of twenty diseases, including trachoma, intestinal worms, leprosy, and elephantiasis. These diseases are preventable and treatable, yet they still affect 1.7 billion people around the world, with the African continent accounting for about 40% of the total global burden. Despite the relatively low mortality resulting from NTDs (around 500,000 deaths globally per year), these diseases and conditions are associated with severe complications, including blindness, disfigurement, social stigmatisation, mental health problems, chronic pain, cognitive impairment, and another long term irreversible damage causing impediments to education, employment, economic growth, and overall development.

AU Member States have been making tremendous progress in the fight against these diseases, showing that NTD goals are achievable. Several member states have achieved ambitious elimination targets, including Ghana, Morocco and The Gambia eliminating blinding trachoma; Egypt, Togo and Malawi eliminating lymphatic filariasis; and Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Uganda eliminating Guinea worm disease. ..."

African Union pledges to end neglected tropical diseases By 2030 | Namibia Economist

Credits: Global Health Now