Nigeria, 15 others rank highest in NTDs globally – Report

A World Health Organization report on neglected tropical diseases has shown that Nigeria and 15 other countries have the highest burden of NTDs.

The report released Monday noted that the 16 countries bear 80 percent of the global burden of NTDs.

According to the report titled “Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2023,” the countries with the highest burden of NTDs are also those where population growth will be the fastest.

The PUNCH reports that World NTD Day is commemorated every January 30, and the theme for this year is “Act now. Act together. Invest in neglected tropical diseases.”

NTDs are a diverse group of 20 conditions primarily found in tropical regions, where they affect more than a billion people living in impoverished communities.

The diseases are caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins.

The WHO report noted that disruptions from COVID-19 and financial constraints are not the only limiting factors towards meeting the 2030 targets and the only reasons for slow progress.

It said programmatic and organizational weaknesses also needed to be addressed.

“First, countries with a high burden should make faster progress; the burden of NTDs is uneven across countries, with 16 countries bearing 80 percent of the global NTD burden.

“Compared to 2010, three of them saw an increased number of people needing NTD interventions from 2021; another six countries had declines of 50 percent or less; and the remaining seven had a drop of more than 50 percent.

“There is a need to focus on high-burden countries to have an impact on a global level.

“Second, the weakest disease programs can jeopardize overall progress toward overarching goals: Many countries are endemic for several NTDs; for example, more than three-quarters of African countries are co-endemic to at least five NTDs,” the report said in part.

“Countries with the highest NTD burdens are also the countries where population growth will be the fastest.

“The United Nations World Population Prospects 2022 projects that more than half of the world’s population increase through 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

“They are all among the 16 countries with the highest NTD burden. NTDs must be addressed appropriately; the acceleration in the delivery of NTD services should at least outpace population growth,” it added.

In a related development, Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said Nigeria has about 25 percent of all NTDs in Africa, with millions of individuals at risk.

“Nigeria has about 25 percent of all NTDs in Africa, with millions of individuals at risk: Lymphatic Filariasis (122 million), Onchocerciasis (33 million), Schistosomiasis (20.8 million), Soil-borne worms (29.4 million), Trachoma (5.3 million), and Human African Trypanosomiasis (6.5 million), respectively.

“In the colonial era, the highest NTD rates were in Egypt and Yemen, with significant numbers also in Iran and Algeria. It is now widely accepted that addressing social determinants of health, such as deficiencies in water, sanitation and hygiene, is essential for the control and elimination of NTD.

“This needs to be promoted in Nigeria,” Ehanire said.

The minister added that the control and elimination of NTDs will contribute significantly to achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.