Striving to eliminate NTDS in the WHO African Region
NTDs are forgotten enemies comprised of about 20 infectious diseases affecting over 1.5 billion people globally, which occur predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas among the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. About 40% of the global NTDs burden occurs in Africa, accounting for 600 million affected people. Up to 90% of these are caused by lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), soil-transmitted helminthiasis (hookworm, whipworm, roundworm), schistosomiasis (bilharzia), and trachoma.
WHO in the African Region has since 2016 been fighting NTDs through ESPEN. It was born as a public-private partnership, established by WHO, to assist African countries reduce the burden of NTDs, and work towards their elimination. ESPEN coordinates the partnership, stakeholders, and work to optimize the value of government and partner investments. The battle towards NTD elimination relies on country ownership, with ESPEN providing operational and technical support to endemic countries.
ESPEN also mobilizes political, financial, and technical resources to accelerate the control and elimination of these diseases, targeting the five most prevalent NTDs in Africa which impose the greatest burden on countries. The write-up demonstrates progress in the battle against NTDs and results achieved between 2015-2021.
