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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