End the Neglect

A blog of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases

Posts Tagged ‘NTDs’

Travel Report: Global Network Addresses Opportunity to Include NTDs in Global Economic Agenda

January 3rd, 2013

By Amber Cashwell

The Group of Twenty (G20) is a forum for international cooperation on important economic and financial issues, bringing together finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries plus the European Union. Amber Cashwell, Policy Officer for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, attended a G20 civil society conference hosted by the Russian government December 11-13, 2012.

Russia assumed presidency of Group of 20 (G20) on December 1, 2012, and made an impressive start by launching a number of separate G20 meetings in Moscow during December 11-13 with think tanks, academics, business officials and civil society representatives. I attended civil society meetings on behalf of the Global Network’s policy team to see how we can influence G20 governments to take hold of the neglected tropical disease (NTD) issue.

Since economic growth stands out as the top issue to be addressed during the 2013 G20 Summit in St. Petersburg, we hope that NTDs will be recognized as a vital issue for ensuring comprehensive and sustainable economic growth. The Global Network recently published a research and policy analysis study on the economic impact of NTDs in collaboration with the Hudson Institute’s Center for Science in Public Policy. The impact of NTDs extends far beyond health and leaves people unable to work, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and hindering them from contributing to their local and national economies. » Read more: Travel Report: Global Network Addresses Opportunity to Include NTDs in Global Economic Agenda

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NTDs: A Cross-Cutting Issue

December 10th, 2012

Collaboration was a major theme at the recent Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases: Translating the London Declaration into Action conference held in Washington D.C. While the focus was primarily on the seven most common NTDs, numerous cross-cutting issues were identified. Participants stressed emphasis on the potential for synergy and mutual inspiration among disease advocates.

A side meeting showcased both Leprosy specialists and NTD advocates. Presenters urged the audience to explore common elements and approaches in research and advocacy for both disease groups.

Besides disease prevention, it was noted that the following areas also offer potential for collaborative efforts in dealing with Leprosy and Neglected Tropical Diseases:

community awareness

detection

treatment

training

supervision

patient education and self-care

monitoring

information systems

community participation

rehabilitation

stigma related issues

research

surveillance

Mr René Stäheli of ILEP said: “We can really contribute with our expertise in morbidity and disability management, and in stigma, to name just two areas. But we can also profit from the experience that other disease communities bring in.”

President John Kufuor Visits Capitol Hill

June 20th, 2012

Former President John Kufuor of the Republic of Ghana and Sabin Vaccine Institute CEO Michael Marine on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC

Last week, Mr. John Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana (2001-2009) and the Global Network’s Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Special Envoy, traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress in order to continue to raise awareness of the impact of NTDs.

President Kufuor met with Senator John Boozman of Arkansas and Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, two members of the Senate Malaria Working Group who are known champions of global health. Senator Boozman has an impressive record of supporting global health issues and previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he spearheaded the formation of Congressional Caucus on Malaria and NTDs with the late Donald Payne. Senator Inhofe, a friend and colleague of President Kufuor, has visited the continent of Africa many times and currently serves on the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs.

Both Senators showed interest in continuing to press the NTD agenda forward and raise awareness among their colleagues. President Kufuor emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in NTD control, especially through the successful USAID NTD Program, which has treated and improved the health of more than 250 million people since fiscal year 2006.

We’re thankful for the support of global health advocates like Senators Boozman and Inhofe, as their voices are integral to our work to eliminate the seven most common NTDs.

To view more photos from President Kufuor’s visit to Capitol Hill, please check out the Global Network’s Facebook page.

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UNICEF Organizes Hygiene Promotion and Deworming Week in Uzbekistan

June 8th, 2012

In celebration of the Hygiene Promotion and Deworming Week organized by UNICEF, some 900,000 children between ages 6 and 11 received deworming tablets in the Andijan, Ferghana and Namangan provinces of the eastern Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan.

During the week, a variety of health promotion activities took place that emphasized the link between proper hand-washing and the prevention of worms and other diseases. In the Ferghana Province, children were enterained by Masqaraboz Tozavoy’, or Mr. Clean, a clown that spoke to the children with hygiene messages in a fun and educational way. He asked them to take his messages home to their families, friends and neighbours. “I would like you to be hand-washing heroes in your school and at home,” he told them.

Below is a video from event in Uzbekistan:

Besides hygiene promotion, activities focused on tackling worm infestations. In 2011, a study jointly conducted by UNICEF and WHO in the Ferghana valley revealed that up to 75 per cent of children living in the region had worms. UNICEF’s support of the week-long intensive campaign allowed for the procurement of 1,000,000 mebendazole tablets, an effective de-worming medicines, as well as hygiene promotion materials for schools.