World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2022 – January 30

World Health Organisation (WHO)’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD) Day(WNTDD) is annually observed across the globe on 30th January to create awareness about the Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD) and to focus on strengthening the interventions to promote equitable health services for all.

• 30th January 2022 marks the observance of the 3rd WNTDD. 

The theme of World NTD Day 2022 is ‘Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases.

Background:

i.Global NTD partners marked the celebration in January 2021 through various virtual events and lighting up landmarks, monuments and buildings. 

• The first World NTD Day was held on 30 January 2020

ii.On 31st May 2021, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the resolutionWHA74(18) and proclaimed the 30th January as World NTD Day. 

• To recognise 30th January as World NTD Day was proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• The day commemorates several events like the launch of the first NTD road map and the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012; and the launch of the current new road map for NTD 2021-2030 on 28th January 2021. 

About NTDs:

i.Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 diseases caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

ii.The NTDs are mainly prevalent in tropical areas and it mostly affects impoverished communities and disproportionately affects women and children.

Key Points:

i.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, more than 1 billion people are affected by NTDs and over 1.7 billion people should be targeted by prevention and treatment activities for at least one of the NTDs. 

ii.NTDs have ranked low and almost absent from the global health policy agenda and gained recognition in 2015 with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target 3.3).

Events in India:

i.As a part of the WNTDD, India has joined the global movement to illuminate 100 landmarks across the world to raise awareness on NTDs.

ii.India illuminated the New Delhi Railway Station in purple and orange hues.
The New Delhi Railway Station, is one of India’s busiest Railway stations in terms of Train frequency and passengers movement.

iii.Iconic landmarks and monuments in Jharkhand, Gujarat and Karnataka were illuminated as part of their commitment to eliminate NTDs.

About World Health Organisation (WHO):

Director General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarter– Geneva, Switzerland