Ethiopia commemorates World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day with the resonating call to accelerate action to end the needless suffering of the most vulnerable

On 29 and 30 January 2023, government health officials and partners came together in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, to commemorate World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day in a two-day event that included an event opening ceremony, visit to NTD, molecular and drug laboratories of Jimma University, a field trip to two woredas of Jimma Zone to observe preventive activities and NTD case management, and a panel discussion.

In line with World NTD Day theme “Act now. Act together. Invest in Neglected Tropical Diseases”, Honorable State Minister of Health Dr Dereje Duguma called for stronger political commitment to the elimination of NTDs, underscored the need to engage communities in elimination efforts, strengthen partner coordination, and increase investment in NTDs in order to achieve national and global NTD  targets as set out in the Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030: Ending the Neglect to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals.

A dozen NTDs inflict illness, disability and death on the most disadvantaged population groups in Ethiopia and negatively affect socioeconomic development. People and communities affected by NTDs are also often subject to stigmatization and isolation, becoming vulnerable to mental health problems.

Acting World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ethiopia, Dr Rose Dlamini, asserted that equity must be at the core of NTD programming, saying that as NTDs often affect the most vulnerable, progress in NTDs can be considered as a litmus test for Universal Health Coverage. “To ensure that everyone has equitable access to NTD services, we must invest in NTDs, continue to adopt an integrated, people-centered approach, intensify intersectoral partnerships, and evolve operating models to foster community ownership of NTD interventions,” she added.

The opening of the commemorative event served as a platform to take stock of progress and remaining challenges, and renewing the collective commitment of the government, partners, research and academia.

Visit to laboratories of Jimma University

On the first day of commemoration event participants visited the NTD Laboratory of Jimma University, which has been involved in the evaluation of a new formulation of mebendazole, which was later rolled out for the treatment of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and donated by WHO to different countries for mass drug administration. The NTD Laboratory is one of only two in the world making such contributions – the second one being located in Uganda. The drug laboratory set the threshold for the efficacy of drugs against STH. The molecular laboratory has contributed to NTD diagnostics and continue to do so in an enhanced level using artificial intelligence-based digital technology.

Visit to Seqa Cherkosa school health activities and Shebe Sombo Health Centre

On 30 January, the delegates led by Honorable Minister Dr Dereje Duguma visited school health activities at Seqa Chekorsa and NTD management at Shebe Sombo Health Centre. At the Health Centre, the delegates observed eyelid surgery to treat trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and talked to post-operative patients that were on follow up at the centre.

Graphs that showed impressive increasing trends of mass drug administration (MDA) coverage in the health centre’s catchment area for treatment of trachoma, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis were displayed. The visiting delegation also saw management of lymphoedema patients at Shebe Sombo Health Centre. Health officers were washing, massaging and moisturizing the feet and legs of patients, teaching patients on foot hygiene and foot care at home for the three months until their next follow up, and providing them with hygiene supplies. Some patients that had been on follow up earlier attested to observing improvement in their condition since coming to the health centre.

These visits were powerful demonstrations of how NTDs affect the most vulnerable, and how political will, multisectoral action and investment can help restore the health, wellbeing and dignity of affected populations.

Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here

Related Posts
Concussions from Football Tied to Long-Term Cognitive Problems thumbnail

Concussions from Football Tied to Long-Term Cognitive Problems

Please enable cookies. Error 1005 Ray ID: 7b7f9c45da8c3212 • 2023-04-14 23:08:23 UTC What happened? The owner of this website (www.webmd.com) has banned the autonomous system number (ASN) your IP address is in (47583) from accessing this website. Was this page helpful? Thank you for your feedback! Cloudflare Ray ID: 7b7f9c45da8c3212 • Your IP: 89.117.245.16 •
Read More
DB·NH손보 종합보험료 인하… 실손 큰폭 적자 속 5∼7% 내려 thumbnail

DB·NH손보 종합보험료 인하… 실손 큰폭 적자 속 5∼7% 내려

지난해만 수조원대 실손의료보험 적자로 올해 보험료가 대폭 인상된 가운데, 일부 보험사들이 종합보험 보험료를 인하한 것으로 확인됐다. 16일 보험업계에 따르면 DB손해보험과 NH손해보험은 이달 초 주요 판매상품인 종합보험과 자녀보험의 예정이율을 기존 대비 0.25%포인트 인상했다. 예정이율이란 보험사가 가입자로부터 받은 보험료를 운용해 보험금을 지급하기 전까지 거둘 수 있는 예상 수익률을 말한다. 보험사는 이 예상 수익률만큼 보험료를 할인해준다. 따라서 예정이율이…
Read More
Wayfair's Way Day Sale Is Packed With Awesome Patio Furniture Deals — Here's What to Buy thumbnail

Wayfair’s Way Day Sale Is Packed With Awesome Patio Furniture Deals — Here’s What to Buy

It's official: Way Day is back and better than ever! For the next 48 hours, " data-vars-ga-product-id="9439ff50-cce8-42c8-95b5-a87cea569a74" data-vars-ga-product-price="0.00" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-brand="" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-category="" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-id="" href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=74968X1576254&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birchlane.com%2F" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"Shop all Birch Lane Sale of the Year deals.Joss & MainTake up to 50% off outdoor lighting.Enjoy up to 50% off outdoor lounge seating. Save up to 50% on outdoor dining essentials.Take…
Read More
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’ thumbnail

Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’

May 18 This week’s KFF Health News Minute looks at the rising number of patients pushed to take out credit cards to pay off medical debt and the lack of schools specializing in behavioral needs.   May 11 On the KFF Health News Minute this week: Artificial intelligence is coming to dinner, and why maternity wards
Read More
Index Of News
Consider making some contribution to keep us going. We are donation based team who works to bring the best content to the readers. Every donation matters.
Donate Now

Subscription Form

Liking our Index Of News so far? Would you like to subscribe to receive news updates daily?

Total
0
Share