The event, held on the theme ‘Unite, Act, Eliminate’, was designed to remind communities about the progress made in combating these ancient diseases, which is said to affect over 1 billion people worldwide.
The African Region bears close to 40% of the global burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and sub-Saharan Africa makes up 90% of the disease burden.
Welcoming the gathering, Amadou Woury Jallow, Program Coordinator, Epidemiology’s Disease Control Unit, underscored the importance of the day and raising public awareness about the event.
They reminded that there are a lot of diseases that are being neglected around the world today, highlighting that it is high time people identify these diseases and work towards supporting the most vulnerable communities around the globe.
The day, he added, marks an important day that all should all work together in all areas and harness our intervention strategies and sensitise the population about these neglected diseases.
For his part, Balla Jatta, programme manager, Neglected Tropical Disease Programme at the Ministry, reminded that on 31st May 2021, the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly recognised 30th January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day through the unanimous approval of decision WHA74(18) by WHO Member States.
The day, he went on, is now one of the 11 Global Health Days and 2 Global Health Weeks recognised by WHO.
Moreover, he disclosed that as people observed the event it is also important for communities to address the profound impact of these ancient diseases of poverty that affect over 1 billion people worldwide.
“Neglected Tropical diseases nestled in the shadows of neglect, and imposed a devastating human, social, and economic burden, primarily afflicting the most vulnerable and marginalised populations in tropical and subtropical regions.”
The African Region, he went on, bears close to 40% of the global burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and sub-Saharan Africa makes up 90% of the disease burden while NTDs cause immeasurable suffering by debilitating, disfiguring, and can be fatal.
NCDs, he explained, are common in tropical countries and lack of public health attention at global and national levels, mainly affect people living in poverty, with inadequate access to clean water, basic sanitation, and health care.
However, The Gambia, in solidarity with the global community, acknowledges the challenges posed by 15 identified NTDs within its borders, and key among these are schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, leprosy, scabies, rabies, snake bite envenoming, and fungal infection, he outlined as some of the diseases.
He revealed that so far, 50 countries have eliminated NTD, showing progress is possible, adding that in in 2020, 600 million fewer people required interventions against NTDs than in 2010.
“Yet, for some time, a lack of resources has been seen as a significant barrier to the control, elimination, and eradication of NTDs.” he disclosed
Sheriffo MK, Focal Person of One Health, reminded that the day is set aside to raise awareness and galvanise support for NTDs.
He revealed that NTDs are a group of diseases that could be parasitic, viral or fungal infectious disease that affects millions of people globally.
Dr. Pius Onomgwe, National Coordinator of Africa CDC The Gambia, expressed similar sentiments.
