Bio Spectrum - March 2018
English | 52 pages | True PDF | 7.4 MB
English | 52 pages | True PDF | 7.4 MB
Neglected Tropical Diseases –Time to Reverse the ‘Neglect’
According to the fourth World Health Organization (WHO) report on neglected tropical diseases (NTD), India has achieved the target for the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar) in 82% sub-districts and the government has set a target of eliminating visceral leishmaniasis by 2017 and lymphatic filariasis in endemic pockets by 2017. Another significant achievement was the elimination of yaws, a chronic skin disease that mostly affects poor children, in 2015. WHO recognised India as the first member state to “achieve this important milestone”. India has also progressed well in treating lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), and has stopped mass drug administration in 72 endemic districts after passing evaluations.