Context:
WHO releases progress report on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Key Findings:
- 1.62 billion people required interventions against NTDs in 2022.
- 5 countries eliminated one NTDs, and one country eliminated two NTDs in 2023.
- Status of India –
- 40.56% of Indian people required interventions against NTDs in 2022.
- India was certified free of dracunculiasis (2000) and yaws (2016)
Neglected Tropical Diseases:
- Diverse group of conditions/diseases that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they thrive among people living in impoverished communities.
- Called ‘neglected’ as they are almost absent from the global health agenda.
- Caused by – Variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins)
- Includes – Guinea worm, Chikungunya, Dengue, Kala Azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis), and Elephantiasis (Lymphatic Filariasis), Yaws, Trachoma, Dracunculiasis, Leprosy, Rabies etc.
- India is home to about 12 NTDs.
- Many of them are vector-borne, have animal reservoirs, and are associated with complex life cycles making its control challenging.
- Global Initiative to end NTDs – WHO’s New Road Map for 2021–2030 that aims a 90% reduction in the number of people requiring treatment for NTDs.
Source: WHO
Previous Year Question
Consider the following diseases
1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Smallpox has been eradicated by 1977 but diphtheria and chickenpox cases are still present.
