World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
Source : Down To Earth
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Why in News ?

The ongoing 74th World Health Assembly declared January 30 as World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).

• The proposal to recognise the day was floated by the United Arab Emirates.
• It was adopted unanimously by the delegates.

Key Facts

• NTD generally receive less funding for research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS and malaria.
  • Together they are responsible for more than 1 million new infections per day and 2.3 million deaths per year.
• The first World NTD Day was celebrated informally in 2020.
• WHO’s new road map for 2021–2030 calls for three strategic shifts to end NTDs:
  • From measuring process to measuring impact.
  • From disease-specific planning and programming to collaborative work across sectors.
  • From externally driven agendas reliant to programmes that are country-owned and country-financed.
• The day will be an important opportunity to engage a wide range of partners at global, national & local level to help accelerate the end of NTDs & the suffering associated with these devastating diseases.

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) ?

• NTDs are a group of infections that are most common among marginalised communities in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas are preventable and treatable.
• They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
• Some examples of NTDs include snakebite envenomation, scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
• London Declaration : A major milestone in the movement to recognise the global burden of these diseases was adopted in 2012.
• Impact  and what makes it Vulnerable
  • NTDs affect more than a billion people globally, according to the WHO.
  • Poverty and ecological systems continue to cause high health, social and economic consequences.

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