Qutub Minar to be lit up as sign for combating neglected tropical diseases

Context

India is to join the world to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases by lighting up Qutub Minar as a sign of unity.

World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day

• 30 January is marked as Anti-Leprosy Day and World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
• This year will mark the second annual World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, highlighting the global community’s commitment to ending Neglected Tropical Diseases.
• On this day the Qutub Minar will be lit up along with other landmarks across the world.
• More than 50 landmarks representing 25 nations across the world will be lit up to celebrate how far we have come together in beating NTDs.
• India too will proudly join these countries, by illuminating UNESCO world heritage site Qutub Minar.   

About Neglected Tropical Diseases

• Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), are a group of diseases that occur under tropical and sub-tropical climate conditions and are intimately linked to poverty.
• NTDs are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
• These diseases debilitate, disfigure, and can even be fatal to those affected. 
• Prone areas: NTDs are found in several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Example: Dengue Fever, Echinococcosis, Fascioliasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness), Leishmaniasis, Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease), Lymphatic Filariasis, Mycetoma, Onchocerciasis, Rabies, Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH) (Ascaris, Hookworm, and Whipworm), Trachoma
• Effective startegies:
  • Controlling the vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, black flies) that transmit these diseases
  • improving basic water, sanitation, and hygiene