OFTEN NEGLECTED BUT THEY ARE THREATS TO HUMAN LIFE

NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES [NTD]

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries and affect more than one billion people, costing developing economies billions of dollars every year. They mainly affect populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock.

These diseases are Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, Dengue and Chikungunya, Dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease), Echinococcosis, Endemic treponematoses (Yaws), Foodborne trematodiases, Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Leishmaniasis, Leprosy (Hansen disease), Lymphatic filariasis, Onchocerciasis (river blindness), Rabies, Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted helminthiases, Taeniasis/Cysticercosis and Trachoma.

The Permanent Secre tary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Shamaki, has revealed that

Nigeria has the highest burden of Neglected Tropi cal Diseases in Sub Sahara Africa, adding that the high burden of worms in Nige ria is a matter of concern.

According to her,  for example the endemicity of schistoso miasis has been largely de termined in Nigeria with exception of Borno and Ad amawa states which have security challenges.

She further explained that the endemicity and prevalence in the 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), show that about 43,544,818 persons are at risk and in need of treat ment with Praziquantel tablets.

"The unacceptable high proportion of Nigerians who are at risk of schistoso miasis is indeed a compel ling call to action, to rapidly scale up mass administra tion of praziquantel tablets in all the endemic schools and communities’’.

In May 2013, the 66th World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA66.12 which calls on Member States to intensify and integrate measures and plan investments to improve the health and social well-being of affected populations. WHO is working with Member States to ensure the implementation of WHA66.12.

Effective control against NTDs can be achieved when several public health approaches are combined. Interventions are therefore guided by local epidemiology and availability of appropriate detection, prevention and control measures that can be delivered locally. Implementation of appropriate measures with high coverage will lead to achieving the World Health Organisation NTD Roadmap targets resulting in the elimination of many diseases and the eradication of at least two by 2020.

Pharma Guide Nigeria shall embark on a public health enlightenment series on NTDs as part of our commitment to acheiving this target. Watch out in subsequent edition.

Edited by Pharm. Joshua Odoh (2015)

References

http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/en/

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/nigeria-has-highest-neglected-tropical-diseases-in-sub-sahara-africa-perm-sec/