×

UPSC Courses

DNA banner

DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 30 January, 2023

  • 5 Min Read

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: 30 Jan

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: 30 Jan

  • World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day was designated by the 74th World Health Assembly, which is currently in session.
  • The United Arab Emirates proposed the day to be recognized. The delegates unanimously agreed to adopt it. Informally, the inaugural World NTD Day was observed in 2020.
  • The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).

About Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD):

  • A set of illnesses known as NTDs are particularly prevalent among underserved populations in poor nations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
  • Numerous pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms, are responsible for their development.
  • NTDs are particularly prevalent in tropical regions where residents lack access to clean water and secure facilities for disposing of human waste.
  • Compared to illnesses like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, these diseases typically receive less funding for study and treatment.
  • NTDs include, for instance, envenomation from a snakebite, scabies, yaws, trachoma, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.
  • The London Declaration on NTDs was adopted on January 30, 2012, to acknowledge the burden that NTDs pose on the world.
  • To make a commitment to eradicating diseases, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, major international pharmaceutical corporations, and numerous national governments gathered in London's Royal College of Physicians.

NTD Hypothesis:

  • More than a billion individuals worldwide are impacted by NTDs.
  • They can be avoided and treated. However, these illnesses continue to have terrible health, social, and economic repercussions due to their complex interactions with poverty and ecological systems.
  • Over 1.7 billion people are affected by 20 NTDs worldwide.
  • At least 11 of these diseases are the most prevalent in India, where parasitic diseases like kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis impact millions of people, frequently the most vulnerable and underprivileged.

Indian Initiatives to End NTDs:

  • As part of stepping up efforts to end NTDs, the Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) was introduced in 2018.

  • For eliminating Kala-azar, a regional partnership backed by WHO that was formed in 2005 by the Governments of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal to speed up the early identification and treatment of those who are most at risk as well as to enhance disease surveillance and management of sandfly populations that is a vector for (Kala-azar).
  • India has previously eradicated a number of other NTDs, such as trachoma, guinea worm, and yaws.

Source: Down To Earth


Formation Day

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry—celebrate their Formation Day. This date marks an important milestone in India

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kachhua Sanctuary, is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. It is recognised as India’s first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary, established to conserve endangered turtle species and support the ecological health of the Ganga River. Location and Extent The sanctuary co

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The aim is to prepare student

Sal Tree

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for combating rising pollution levels. Their findings highlight the tree’s superior capacity to trap dust, absorb gases, and cleanse the air compared

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nuclear policy and has far-reaching implications for geopolitics, the environment, and international security. Status of Global Nuclear Weapon Testing

DNA

03 Dec,2025

Toppers

Search By Date

Newsletter Subscription
SMS Alerts

Important Links

UPSC GS Mains Crash Course - RAW Prelims Answer Key 2024