The World Health Organization is calling for a comprehensive approach to fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases that centers on community empowerment and climate change adaptation. Over 1.5 billion people worldwide are impacted by these diseases, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. WHO's Regional Director Saima Wazed emphasizes the importance of uniting, acting, and eliminating these health challenges through targeted interventions. In 2023, more than 860 million people benefited from mass drug administration and focused healthcare strategies.
"Unite.
Act. Eliminate. These three words embody our shared commitment to combating
NTDs" - Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director
New Delhi, Jan 29: The fight
against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) must be centered on affected
communities and climate change impacts, said Saima Wazed, Regional Director for
World Health Organization (IANS) South-East Asia on Wednesday, ahead of the
World NTD day.
Key Points
1. Addressing 16 endemic NTDs in South-East Asia
Region
2. Empowering affected communities through targeted
health interventions
3. Climate change's significant impact on tropical
disease spread
4. Integrating One Health approach for comprehensive disease management
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed
every year on January 30. The theme this year is “Unite. Act. Eliminate”.
“Unite. Act. Eliminate. These three words embody our shared commitment to
combating NTDs, a cause that impacts over 1.5 billion people worldwide,
predominantly among the most vulnerable populations,” said Wazed.
“World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025 is an opportunity to reaffirm our
commitment to a healthier, more equitable future. Let us unite to advocate for
change, act to deliver impactful interventions, and eliminate the burden of
NTDs in our Region and beyond,” she added.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of conditions caused by
a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and
toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic
consequences.
The diseases are called ‘neglected’ because they are almost absent from the
global health agenda; in addition, are associated with stigma and social
exclusion.
“In the South-East Asia Region, 16 NTDs remain endemic, with at least one
disease present in each of the 11 Member States,” said Wazed noting that
significant progress has been made in eliminating NTDs in the last decade.
Noting the progress made, she said seven Member States have successfully
eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease. In 2023 alone, more than
860 million people benefited from mass drug administration (MDA) and targeted
interventions. MDA is a campaign strategy in which all people in an area are
given treatment regardless of their disease status.
The Regional Director also cited challenges such as inadequate health system
capacity, funding gaps, disparities in access to healthcare, social
determinants of health, lack of tools and innovation, geopolitical instability
and climate change. These challenges “continue to hinder progress, leaving 833
million people in the Region still in need of NTDs interventions,” Wazed said.
She urged to empower people affected by NTDs to ensure that systemic
inequalities are addressed, and no one is left behind.
“Our fight against NTDs must center on empowering affected communities and
adapting to the realities of climate change,” Wazed said, while calling for
person-centered approaches and community leadership.
She also suggested integrating with One Health approach to ensures resilience
against the growing impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases.
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