What are Neglected Tropical Diseases?

Recently, India joined the world and Light Up Qutub Minar as a sign of unity to combat the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NDT).

Highlights

• This was done to mark the second annual World NTD Day that will be observed on January 30^th.
• The World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day highlights the global community’s commitment to end the diseases.
• The NDT diseases cause immeasurable suffering among the most marginalized communities of the world.
• On the occasion of World NTD day, 50 landmarks representing the 25 nations of the world will be lit up. They will celebrate how far the world have come together in beating the NTD.

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)?

• The NTDs are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions.
• These diseases affect more than one billion people every year. In combating the disease, the countries invest billions of dollars every year.
• The Populations who are living in poverty, where there is no adequate sanitation, those who are in close contact with infectious vectors, domestic animals & livestock are highly affected by such diseases.
• As per the WHO major NTDs are: Buruli Ulcers, Chagas Disease, Dengue, Chikungunya, Sleeping Sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis), Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy), Trachoma Mycetoma, chromo-blastomycosis, deep mycoses etc.

NTD cases in India

• As per the data, one in five people across the world are affected by NTD.
• India is home to the world’s largest absolute burden of 11 of the major neglected tropical diseases.

World NTD Day

It is an awareness day that addresses the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). World NTD Day was celebrated on January 20, 2020 for the first time.  The date, January 30, marks the anniversary of the 2012 London Declaration on NTDs. The London declaration had unified the partners across sectors, countries and disease communities for a greater cooperation, investment and action on NTDs.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021