01559nas a2200181   4500000000100000008004100001260001600042653002100058100001200079700001500091700001300106245016300119856007500282300001600357490000600373520098400379022001401363       2021                            d  bElsevier BV10aGeneral Medicine1 aAlvar J1 aden Boer M1 aDagne DA00aTowards the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem in east Africa: reflections on an enhanced control strategy and a call for action  uhttps://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2214-109X%2821%2900392-2  ae1763-e17690 v93 a<p>East Africa is the world region most affected by visceral leishmaniasis, accounting for 45% of cases globally that were reported to WHO in 2018, with an annual incidence that is only slightly decreasing. Unlike southeast Asia, east Africa does not have a regional approach to achieving elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem. The goal of the WHO 2021–30 Neglected Tropical Diseases road map is to reduce mortality caused by the disease to less than 1%. To achieve this goal in east Africa, it will be necessary to roll out diagnosis and treatment at the primary health-care level and implement evidence-based personal protection methods and measures to reduce human–vector contact. Investment and collaboration to develop the necessary tools are scarce. In this Health Policy paper, we propose a strategic framework for a coordinated regional approach in east Africa for the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem.</p>
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