The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa with several infecting many millions of individuals. Various integrated control programmes against up to seven NTDs are now being implemented in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa, but the total coverage is estimated to be only a quarter of the population in need of treatment. We estimate that approximately $200+ million per year is needed to fully implement the proposed integrated NTD control programmes in the rural populations in all the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and an annual sum for 5-7 years would be needed to reduce morbidity to below public health importance. To date, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the British Government, Geneva Global (an international philanthropic organisation) and other donors have committed some funds for NTD control; however, more effort is needed from a broader spectrum of donors to reach our targets. Unless more funds are committed and concerted actions are taken across all the sub-Saharan African countries, NTDs will be controlled in some but still be a major public health problem for the foreseeable future in the majority of countries.
BT - International health C1 -http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24036296?dopt=Abstract
DO - 10.1016/j.inhe.2009.06.002 IS - 1 J2 - Int Health LA - eng N2 -The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa with several infecting many millions of individuals. Various integrated control programmes against up to seven NTDs are now being implemented in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa, but the total coverage is estimated to be only a quarter of the population in need of treatment. We estimate that approximately $200+ million per year is needed to fully implement the proposed integrated NTD control programmes in the rural populations in all the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and an annual sum for 5-7 years would be needed to reduce morbidity to below public health importance. To date, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the British Government, Geneva Global (an international philanthropic organisation) and other donors have committed some funds for NTD control; however, more effort is needed from a broader spectrum of donors to reach our targets. Unless more funds are committed and concerted actions are taken across all the sub-Saharan African countries, NTDs will be controlled in some but still be a major public health problem for the foreseeable future in the majority of countries.
PY - 2009 SP - 61 EP - 70 T2 - International health TI - Control of the neglected tropical diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: the unmet needs. VL - 1 SN - 1876-3413 ER -