Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)

• NTDs are a diverse group of 20 conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they affect more than 1 billion people who live in impoverished communities.

• They are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

• They are ‘neglected’ because they are almost absent from the global health agenda. Even today, when the focus is on Universal Health Coverage, NTDs have very limited resources and are almost ignored by global funding agencies.

• World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day is observed on 30th January.

Indian initiatives to eliminate NTDs

• The Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) was launched in 2018 as part of intensifying efforts towards the elimination of NTDs.

• Preventive methods like Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds are periodically deployed in endemic areas during which anti-filarial medicines are provided free of cost to at-risk communities.

• India has already eliminated several NTDs including guinea worm, trachoma and yaws.

WHO’s new road map for NTDs

• Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021- 2030 was launched in 2021.

• It sets out global targets to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate a diverse set of NTDs by 2030.

• These targets are aligned with the SDGs ensuring that essential services reach all who need them to respond to NTDs.