Underfunding threatens Africa’s fight against tropical diseases
Around 99 million people in 26 African countries are at risk of missing out on treatment of tropical diseases this year. It was noted recently at the World Health Organization ( WHO) Regional Committee for Africa ( RC73), that funding crisis threatens Africa’s fight against neglected tropical diseases. Health officials and donors at RC73, highlighted that with chronic underfunding threatening Africa’s fight to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases, there is need for increased investments to end the neglected illnesses that affect nearly 400 million people in the region. Neglected tropical diseases are a set of 20 diseases or disease groups that occur predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas. They include lymphatic filariasis, more commonly known as elephantiasis, onchocerciasis or river blindness, schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, as well as human African trypanosomiasis, often called sleeping sickness, chronic ulcers and other skin infections. These diseases can be devastating, and usually cause severe pain, disabilities and deformities, malnutrition, stunted growth and cognitive impairment. Anaemia caused by some of these diseases has a direct impact on maternal mortality. According to a 2022 survey by WHO, Africa’s Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases, around 99 million people in 26 African countries are at risk of missing out on treatment for diseases including lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soiltransmitted helminthiases and schistosomiasis due to insufficient funds for mass drug administration. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has however applauded the African region for their efforts against neglected tropical diseases. “Africa has made great strides against neglected tropical diseases, with millions of people now living free of the pain and suffering caused by these illnesses,” said Dr. Moeti, adding that this should eventually lead to ending these diseases. “But to secure and build upon these gains, further investments, including adequate, predictable and sustained funding are crucial to speed up the pace towards ending these diseases,” she said. She reiterated that it is applaudable that despite the challenges, Africa has made significant progress against neglected tropical diseases. Forty- two African countries have been certified free of Guinea worm. Six countries in the African region have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, and in 2022, Togo became the first African country to eliminate four neglected tropical diseases. Leprosy has also been eliminated as a public health problem, with only the Comoros yet to achieve the elimination goal in one of its three islands. These are some of the most significant developments that prove that the African continent is making strides on tropical diseases. Many neglected tropical diseases control measures also rely on simple interventions that can be carried out by non- specialists, making community- based delivery possible. Dr Moeti emphasized that the economic cost of neglected tropical diseases is high for affected families. A WHO study on the rationale for continued investment in ending neglected tropical diseases, indicates that household income lost due to outof- pocket health expenditures and wages lost due to these diseases is estimated to be at least US$ 33 billion per year. The study further indicates that prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases count among the high- return public health investments, with an estimated net benefit to affected individuals of about US$ 25 for every US$ 1 invested, according to the WHO study.
The WHO global Neglected Tropical Disease roadmap 2021— 2030 seeks to reduce by 90 percent the number of people requiring treatment for these diseases and to reduce associated disability by 75 percent.
The roadmap, endorsed through the African
Regional Framework for the control, eradication and elimination of tropical and vector borne diseases, encourages governments to provide leadership and commit to the achievement of
global and national targets. Measures to address these diseases have ripple effects in communities, including better education, health and employment outcomes.