World Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD) Day is annually observed across the globe on 30th January to highlight the global commitment to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases that has affected the most marginalized communities of the World.
The 30th January 2021 marks the 2nd annual World Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD) Day.
The Funding for World NTD Day is provided by the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi.
Background:
i.The World NTD Day was one of the initiatives announced on 19th November 2019, at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum, a gathering of the global health community under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
ii.The first World NTD Day was observed on 30th January 2020.
Why 30th January?
30th January marks the anniversary of the 2012 London declaration on NTDs, which unified the partners across the sectors, countries and disease communities to enable greater investment and action on NTDs.
Events 2021:
i.As a part of the celebration of World NTD Day more than 50 landmarks across 25 countries will light up to create awareness about the 1.7 billion people across the globe who are suffering from NTD.
ii.This group of diseasesexternal icon includes lymphatic filariasis (LF, or elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), trachoma (the leading infectious cause of blindness), and Guinea worm disease.
iii.India has joined the movement to combat against NTD and will light up Qutub Minar as a part of the “Monument Light-Ups” event.
Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs):
i.The Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs) are found in the countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
ii.The NTDs are common in the tropical region where people do not have access to clean water or proper and safe methods to dispose of human waste.
Efforts of WHO:
Roadmap to tackle 20 NTDs:
i.The World Health Organisation has come up with a road map to tackle 20 NTDs across the globe in the next 10 years.
ii.The road map titled “Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030” was agreed during the 73rd meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA) held from 9th to 14th November 2020.
iii.The road map is designed to address the critical gaps across various diseases through integration and mainstreaming the approaches and actions within the national health systems and across sectors.
iv.The WHA has endorsed the plan with an aim to renew the momentum with actions focused on integrated platforms for delivery of interventions.
2030 Targets:
- Reducing the number of people requiring treatment by 90%.
- Eliminate 1 NTD in 100 countries.
- Eradicating 2 diseases: dracunculiasis commonly known as Guinea-worm disease and yaws, a chronic skin disease.
- 75% reduction in the disability-adjusted life years(DALYs) related to NTDs.
