Neglected tropical diseases to be eliminated by 2021 in Uganda

Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng announced that by the year 2021, Uganda will be free from Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

NRDs are diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries and the most common ones are six that include; guinea worm disease, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and trachoma. These affect more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year.

Uganda has made 80% progress in elimination of neglected tropical diseases which include liver blindness, brihazia, trachoma and onchocerciasis that are highly affecting Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of South Sudan.

This was revealed by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng during the opening of 10th onchocerciasis/liver blindness elimination conference in Kampala.

Aceng said that the treatment coverage of onchocerciasis has reached all the 37 endemic districts attaining at least 80% of the total population while disease transmission has been interrupted in 16 districts where mass drug administration has been stocked thus protecting 1.2 million people.

When it comes to trachoma, interruption of transmission has been achieved in 27/36 endemic districts while brihazia has significantly reduced despite disturbance.

Aceng says in order to eliminate the neglected tropical diseases by 2020, all  stakeholders should stay on course and pick a leaf on how players in diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis are handing their advocacy which keeps the policy makers reminded.

The World Health Organization WHO's representative in Uganda Abdoulie Dodou called for strengthening of alliances between the affected countries that's Uganda, DRC and South Sudan if elimination of cross boarder transmission is to be achieved and strengthening the health systems for sustainability purpose.

However, at the beginning of the year, Uganda was awarded by Carter Center for her contribution towards the reduction of NTD in the country.