The Fight and the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases are a priority for Switzerland

The fight and the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in low- and middle-income countries is a priority for Switzerland’s international cooperation for health. During the UN General Assembly in New York last September, Switzerland signed a contribution of CHF 7,46 million to the WHO's Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN).

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis, disfiguring and deadly disease), trachoma, loiasis and onchocerciasis (eye diseases) affect 1.5 billion people worldwide. Transmitted by a vector such as intestinal worms, horseflies and flies, these diseases cause severe pain, disfigurement and stigmatization of those concerned and cause 170,000 deaths per year. Africa is the most affected continent, particularly because of the presence of large tropical forests that host of the main vectors. Neglected tropical diseases particularly affect remote, poor and marginalized communities. These diseases can be eliminated as a public health problem. Free treatments are available but they often do not reach the patients. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the identification of people at risk and the distribution of appropriate treatments.

Switzerland has therefore decided to support the World Health Organization's Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) for CHF 7,46 million for the period 2019-2024. This public-private partnership, based at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, brings together public donors, philanthropic foundations such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and six pharmaceutical companies such as Eisai, Glaxo SmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, MSD and Merck donating their medicines. The ESPEN project works on the identification of people at risk and the massive administration of preventive treatment in affected schools and communities. 44 African countries benefit from the program. Thanks to ESPEN 70 million people received preventive treatments last year. They are thus put out of danger from these deadly diseases. The Swiss contribution will strengthen the collection of data to determine affected geographical areas, and thus guarantee the distribution of preventive medicines to some 50 million additional individuals per year.

More information on ESPEN: http://espen.afro.who.int/about-espen

Photo’s legend: SDC Director general Ambassador Manuel Sager together with representatives for the WHO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DFID, USAID and KOIKA at the signing ceremony, New York, September 23, 2019.

Author

Oliver Praz

Senior Health Advisor, SDC

oliver.praz@eda.admin.ch