Gov’t restates commitment to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases.

This was on the occasion of the 6th edition of World Day Against Neglected Tropical Diseases on January 30, observed under the theme: “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs”.

The Day serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of these diseases and the urgent need for collective action to eliminate them. 

An event to mark the day in Cameroon was organised in Yaounde and presided over by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Prof Louis Richard Njock, representing the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie.

The ceremony was equally an opportunity for the officials of the Technical Directorate for the Fight Against Disease, Epidemics, and Pandemics, to unveil its National Master Plan for the Elimination of NTDs which is a decisive step in combating these illnesses that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations.

Stakeholders from various sectors in the domain of health, gathered to reaffirm their determination to tackle NTDs, which continue to afflict millions of Cameroonians.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Public Health, there 17 out of the 22 recognised NTDs in Cameroon.

They include leprosy, yaws, buruli ulcer, human African trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness, Trachoma Onchocerciasis also known as river blindness; scabies; guinea worm disease; dengue fever; chikungunya and snake bites.

These diseases, health officials said affect an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide, most of whom live in extreme poverty. Despite their devastating consequences, they are preventable and treatable.

Speaking during the ceremony, the NTD Coordinator, Dr Nko’o Ayissi, outlined the extensive work that went into developing the plan, while emphasising the importance of collaboration and long-term commitment.

The plan, he said is built on six key strategies aimed at controlling and eventually eliminating NTDs.

The strategies are preventive chemotherapy which will be done with mass drug distribution campaigns targeting communities and schools to prevent the spread of NTDs, vector control by educating the presence of disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes and flies through environmental management and insecticide use.

He equally noted that the plan will help manage morbidity by providing medical care and rehabilitation for individuals suffering from complications caused by NTDs, raising awareness about NTD prevention and treatment at the community level and also put in place of community-based surveillance systems.

According to stakeholders, the country in the coming year intends to strengthen surveillance and early detection of NTDs, increase the availability of essential medicines and vaccines, expand access to clean water and sanitation in rural communities.

There are also plans to improve health education and awareness campaigns and encourage research and innovation in NTD treatment and prevention.

Collective efforts to fight NTDs

Prof Louis Richard Njock, remarked that: “The fight against NTDs requires the active involvement of every Cameroonian from individuals and families to local communities and healthcare providers”.

The success of this plan, he said, depends on sustained funding, political will, and continuous community engagement. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at eliminating NTDs, including those led by organisations such as United Towns and Cities of Cameroon.

According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, NTDs are infectious diseases that thrive in impoverished environments, particularly in hot and humid tropical climates. These diseases are often overlooked in global health priorities, yet they cause severe disability, disfigurement, and death in the affected communities.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3358 of Monday February 03, 2025