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Qutub Minar to be lit up as sign for combating neglected tropical diseases

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    29th Jan, 2021

India is to join the world to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases by lighting up Qutub Minar as a sign of unity.

Context

India is to join the world to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases by lighting up Qutub Minar as a sign of unity.

World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day

  • 30 January is marked as Anti-Leprosy Day and World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
  • This year will mark the second annual World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, highlighting the global community’s commitment to ending Neglected Tropical Diseases.
  • On this day the Qutub Minar will be lit up along with other landmarks across the world.
  • More than 50 landmarks representing 25 nations across the world will be lit up to celebrate how far we have come together in beating NTDs.
  • India too will proudly join these countries, by illuminating UNESCO world heritage site Qutub Minar.   

About Neglected Tropical Diseases

  • Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), are a group of diseases that occur under tropical and sub-tropical climate conditions and are intimately linked to poverty.
  • NTDs are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
  • These diseases debilitate, disfigure, and can even be fatal to those affected. 
  • Prone areas: NTDs are found in several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • Example: Dengue Fever, Echinococcosis, Fascioliasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness), Leishmaniasis, Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease), Lymphatic Filariasis, Mycetoma, Onchocerciasis, Rabies, Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH) (Ascaris, Hookworm, and Whipworm), Trachoma
  • Effective startegies:
    • Controlling the vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, black flies) that transmit these diseases
    • improving basic water, sanitation, and hygiene
  • 1 in 5 people around the world are affected by NTDs.
  • India is home to the world’s largest absolute burden of at least 11 of these major neglected tropical diseases.

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