Neglected Tropical Diseases: The Battle To Survive
In a rural, remote village in Adamawa, Nigeria, a little girl lives with her small family. Her laughter echoes as she skips to school with her friends every morning. The only local school, barely standing with a few teachers, provides basic education to the surrounding settlements.
Her parents are small local farmers who rely on what they can harvest during planting seasons.
By the time she turns 10, her legs are swollen, her skin itches relentlessly, and she can no longer keep up with her friends.
At such a tender age, she is forced to watch her dreams of becoming a Nurse fade away before her eyes as she is made to stay back at home and battle this disease, one many have never heard of.
Her name is Aisha, and every morning, the sun casts a warm glow over her village, but instead of joy, it now brings a reminder of her struggles.
Once filled with ambition and dreams, her days have turned into a cycle of discomfort and isolation. The laughter that used to spill from her lips has been replaced by silence, as her friends, though supportive, cannot understand the weight of her burden.
As she sits by the window, Aisha watches her friends trail off to school, their voices carrying through the air like birdsong, each laughing, a painful reminder of the life she once lived but now longs for.
She recalls the countless hours spent imagining herself caring for others, attending to the sick and providing comfort with soothing words.
Now, her own body seems like a prison, preventing her from even taking a step outside.
Her mother, once her greatest cheerleader, now wears a mask of worry, her heart aching for her little girl.
Amina often overhears her parents whispering at night, discussing remedies and seeking help, but solutions remain elusive.
Still, Amina clings to hope. With a pencil and notebook in hand, she scribbles down her thoughts and dreams, transforming her pain into words.
She tries to keep up with her studies with the help of her friends, who visit every day after school.
But sometimes, doubt creeps in when the itching becomes unbearable or the nights are too long.
Aisha questions if she will ever wear a nurse’s uniform and if the world will ever see her become a nurse.
Yet, deep within, a flicker of resilience burns brightly. She finds solace in helping her siblings with their homework and in dreaming of a future where pain will only be a memory.
It is through these small acts of kindness and love that she finds strength.
Each day is a battle, but Amina remains determined—not just for herself but for all the children who may one day face similar struggles.
In her heart, she knows that her fight is not just against her disease but for a hopeful future, a future she will build with her own hands.
This is just one story of many children out there in Africa struggling with one form or the other of neglected tropical diseases that have been a big public health problem for rural regions in Africa’s tropical lands.
“NTDs flourish mainly in rural areas, in conflict zones and hard-to-reach regions. They thrive in areas worsened by climate change and where access to clean water and sanitation is scarce.“
The Burden Of Neglected Tropical Diseases In Africa
Every 60 seconds, Neglected Tropical Disease claims another victim. While one world races towards artificial intelligence and space exploration, another battles an ancient war against diseases as old as civilisation.
The rural Tanzanians refer to it as “mkango” – a lion disease – because like a predator, it preys on the most vulnerable among us.
For a lot of Africans battling with Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), this is a harsh reality that has become the order of their day.
Today, on World NTD Day, across Africa, a new story is being rewritten: one of resilience, hope and unprecedented progress in the fight against these ancient foes.
In the heart of Nigeria, picture a morning in Makoko, Lagos state, where 13-year-old Segun reaches for his medication. He battles schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms in contaminated water.
His community lacks clean water, forcing them to fetch from a nearby river.
Segun’s story is not unique. Across Africa, millions of children and adults face the same challenges, often without access to treatment or prevention.
NTDs disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalised communities. They continue to increase in places where clean water, sanitation, and healthcare are hard to come by. Yet, it would surprise you to know that these diseases are preventable and treatable in most cases.
Africa leads the line in the burden borne by NTDs, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for almost 40% of the global NTD affliction, according to a research study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023.
A Legacy Of Neglect
Why are these diseases called “neglected”? You might wonder. It is because, for ages, they have been overlooked by global health agendas and do not affect developed regions.
Neglected Tropical Diseases hardly ever make headlines, yet they cause great suffering and continue to cause cycles of poverty.
A child suffering from intestinal worms may miss school, fall behind in their studies, and struggle to break free from poverty as an adult. A farmer with river blindness may lose his means of livelihood, driving his family into deeper hardship.
Luckily, all hope is not lost. Over the past decade, Africa has made exceptional progress in the fight against NTDs.
Statistics from a health report published by the World Health Organization show that countries like Ghana have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. At the same time, Ethiopia has distributed millions of doses of medication to treat lymphatic filariasis.
These successes show that with commitment and collaboration, NTDs can be defeated.
The Power Of Community Action
In Uganda, community health workers are the unsung heroes in the fight against NTDs.
They go against all odds, travelling on foot to remote villages, delivering life-saving medications and educating communities about prevention.
Their work is a testament to the power of local action and global solidarity.
Organisations like the END fund and the African Union’s Continental Framework for NTDs are also playing a crucial role. They provide funding, resources, and technical support to countries battling these diseases.
But the fight is far from over. Climate change, population growth, and conflict are creating new challenges, making it even more urgent to address NTDs.
A Call To Action
On this World NTD Day, let us remember that no one should suffer from a disease we have the power to prevent. How can you help? Here is how:
- Spread Awareness: You can help by sharing stories about NTDs on social media using hashtags like #WorldNTDDay and #BeatNTDs.
- Support Organisations: Another way to help is donating to organisations like the END Fund or the WHO’s NTD program.
- Advocate For Change: Another vital way to help is by urging governments and policymakers to prioritise NTDs in their health agendas.
A Future Free From NTDs
The road to eliminating NTDs is long, but it is not impossible. With continued investment, innovation, and collaboration, we can create a future where no child has to miss school because of a preventable disease, no farmer loses their source of income to river blindness, and no community is left behind.
As we celebrate World NTD Day, let us honour the strength of those affected and renew our commitment to breaking the chains of neglect. Together, we can ensure that every African—and every person worldwide—has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life.
