World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (World NTD Day) is observed on January 30 every year.

Context

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (World NTD Day) is observed on January 30 every year.

About Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)

• NTDs are a group of infections that are most common among marginalised communities in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
• NTDs are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.
• Examples of NTDs are: snakebite envenomation, scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease etc.
• These diseases generally receive less funding for research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS and malaria.

Theme

• The 2022 theme is ‘Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases’. 
• The 2022 slogan is “From neglect to care”.

Background

• The first World NTD Day was held on 30 January 2020. 
• The proposal to recognise the day was made by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 
• The 74th World Health Assembly endorsed a decision recognizing 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (‘World NTD Day’). 
• World NTD Day commemorates the simultaneous launch of the first NTD road map and the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012. 
• For countries where neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent and for the global community of partners, this is a new dawn.

NTDs in India

• India is home to the world’s largest absolute burden of at least 11 of these major NTDs.
• NTDs are commonly seen to affect people living in poverty and hence, many people in India are afflicted by these diseases every year.
• The most common NTDs in India: Lymphatic Filariasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Dengue and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections (STH).
• As per WHO data, India ranks number 1 in the number of cases for many major NTDs in the world.
• However, India has made tremendous progress in controlling many such diseases.
• Leprosy is no longer a public health concern in the country and mass treatment coverage has also been achieved for Filaria.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has highlighted that India has already eliminated several other NTDs, including guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws.