The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday called for renewed commitments and focused efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, which continue to disable, disfigure and kill people in South-East Asia. The diseases include kala-azar, leprosy, yaws, lymphatic filariasis and schistosomiasis. “Though called neglected diseases, these are diseases of the people who are neglected, the poorest of the poor. Strong political commitments, and renewed and focused efforts centered around the affected population are needed to control, eliminate and eradicate these diseases,” said Dr.
Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional director of WHO South-East Asia. She was speaking at a meeting of health ministers and senior health ministry officials from the 11 member countries, in Dili, Timor-Leste. Some of these neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are fatal if not treated. Others leave the affected…
