World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

Context

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (World NTD Day) is observed on January 30 every year.

About 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. They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
• NTDs are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
• Examples of NTDs are: snakebite envenomation, scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease etc.
• These diseases generally receive less funding for research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS and malaria.

Theme

• The 2022 theme is ‘Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases’. 
• The 2022 slogan is “From neglect to care”.

Background

• The first World NTD Day was held on 30 January 2020. 
• The proposal to recognise the day was made by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 
• The 74th World Health Assembly endorsed a decision recognizing 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (‘World NTD Day’). 
• World NTD Day commemorates the simultaneous launch of the first NTD road map and the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012. 
• For countries where neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent and for the global community of partners, this is a new dawn.

NTDs in India

• India is home to the world’s largest absolute burden of at least 11 of these major NTDs.
• NTDs are commonly seen to affect people living in poverty and hence, many people in India are afflicted by these diseases every year.
• The most common NTDs in India: Lymphatic Filariasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Dengue and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections (STH).
• As per WHO data, India ranks number 1 in the number of cases for many major NTDs in the world.
• However, India has made tremendous progress in controlling many such diseases.
• Leprosy is no longer a public health concern in the country and mass treatment coverage has also been achieved for Filaria.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has highlighted that India has already eliminated several other NTDs, including guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws.