MALARIA AND NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES UNDERFUNDED AND LACKING POLITICAL SUPPORT

There are many neglected tropical diseases which are life-altering but preventable, and very little global attention is devoted to treating them

M alaria and neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs, are not always discussed in parallel. After all, one is well known – the global health community has worked to eliminate it for decades. The others are a group of diseases that have been overlooked on the international stage until the most recent decade.

However, there are vast similarities between the challenges posed by malaria and many NTDs, which we should use to our advantage when combatting them. Perhaps the most apparent similarity of all: these are lifealtering diseases that are preventable and treatable.

Despite the low cost of treatment for some NTDs, as little as half a dollar per person per year, the fight against this group of diverse diseases is consistently underfunded and does not attract the same attention as other prominent diseases.

Over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from an NTD, both directly and indirectly. This means that as well as the impact on their health, people affected by NTDs and their families can be victim to prejudice, loss of education or work.

An even larger proportion of people are at risk of malaria; approximately

half the world’s population, which can also result in lifelong economic consequences for those affected. Furthermore, these diseases and their impact on society hinders global progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, universal health coverage and the overall economic development of nations.

Like malaria, tackling NTDs involves a mix of distributing available treatments, improving healthcare access for the most remote and vulnerable populations, health system strengthening, increasing awareness and investing in research for innovative cures and tools.

Working to diminish the number of people at risk and control and eliminate NTDs alongside malaria as part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is a cause that would save millions and revolutionize global health, yet requires more political support.

Malaria and NTDs are all diseases of inequity; they disproportionately affect women, children under five and people living in extreme poverty or remote communities. Both malaria and NTDs have a widespread impact on the economic and social development of countries in Africa and around the world. Over 90 percent of the global malaria burden, and 40 percent of all NTDs, are concentrated in Africa alone.

Now, as African health systems become even more strained by COVID-19, there is a high risk the impact of these diseases will escalate if patients cannot seek medical care, or access to preventative tools and treatments is affected.

A CALL TO ACTION

In Niger, malaria remains a major public health issue and is endemic throughout the country. In fact, malaria is the reason for 50 percent of all recorded deaths, with children under