×

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


India–Azerbaijan

A year after tensions arising from Operation Sindoor, India and Azerbaijan have taken steps to restore and normalise bilateral relations. The 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations, held in Baku, marked the first such engagement since 2022, signaling renewed diplomatic momentum. Recent Diplomatic Engagement During the consultations, bo

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreem

The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has completed four years since its signing. Both countries now aim to build on this progress through strengthened collaboration and ambitious targets, including reaching AUD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. What is the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Tra

ADR Report on Political Funding

A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analyses donations of ?20,000 or more declared to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by national political parties for FY 2024–25, highlighting transparency and accountability in political financing. Key Findings Massive Funding Surge Total donations to nationa

Maritime Chokepoints

Maritime chokepoints are narrow channels along global shipping routes where maritime traffic is concentrated. These points are geopolitically and economically critical, as they handle a large proportion of global trade, especially energy shipments. Current Relevance Over two-thirds of seaborne energy trade passes through a handful o

US-Israel-Iran War

Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel), the geopolitical landscape has shifted fundamentally with the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran retaliated through Operation True Promise 4, launching missile attacks against Israel and nearby Gulf states. The escala

DNA

05 Apr,2026

Toppers

Search By Date

Newsletter Subscription
SMS Alerts

Important Links

UPSC GS Mains Crash Course - RAW