As we commend the current developments in  the global  response to NTDs including, the first WHO Comprehensive Global NTD report, the establishment of the first-ever Latin America Initiative for NTD control by the Global Network, the Pan-American Health Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank, the financial donations from various donors including the U.S, U.K , Japan and other private donors and the expanded drug donations from GSK and Johnson and Johnson, we must not shy away from  calling for a more energized and robust response for NTD control.

Yesterday at day two of the ASTMH conference in Atlanta, medical student from various universities presented important results from their studies on Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS)showing that young girls with urinary schistosomiasis do indeed have genital symptoms. In fact, 46% of the 549 girls in the study did.  FGS has serious consequences for women including increased risk for HIV/AIDS, infertility and ectopic pregnancies.

With 300 million people at risk for schistosomiasis in Africa, mostly school-aged girls, adolescent girls and women of child bearing age, the need for Praziquantel,the drug mostly used to treat and prevent schistosomiasis is needed now more than ever.

 We need to make sure that all girls who need Praziquantel get it now.