CBM hosts important NTD meeting in Abu Dhabi
Women taking part in the schistosomiasis survey, part of a Neglected Tropical Diseases programme in Burundi
© CBM
From 13 to 16 September 2015 CBM will host the annual NTD NGDO Meeting in Abu Dhabi, which will be attended by over 150 leading organisations around the world.
What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)?
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are primarily parasitic and bacterial infections that thrive in impoverished settings, especially in the heat and humidity of tropical climates. They are spread by insects, contaminated water and soil infested with the eggs or larvae of worms.
NTDs affect the poorest populations in the developing world living in remote, rural areas, urban slums, or conflict zones where there is little money for medication and health care. One sixth of the world's population — more than one billion people — suffers from one or more NTD. Another 2 billion people are at risk, mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics. NTDs cause great human misery, often aggravated by social stigmatisation and discrimination, especially for women. They cause pain, disfigurement, and disability (mental and physical), and result in about half a million deaths each year.
Dr Levi, a CBM supported ophthalmologist at the NTD National Planning Workshop launch in Burundi
© CBM/FarmerCBM’s work with NTDs
CBM supports NTD control programmes in areas where these diseases are identified as a public health problem. It has been successfully involved in the prevention of blindness from onchocerciasis and trachoma for more than 20 years. Building on its experience and expertise, and on its long-standing relationship with partner organisations and their networks all over the world, CBM is fully committed to engaging in fighting the five major NTDs (trachoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis [LF], schistosomiasis [SCH], and soil-transmitted helminths [STHs]). CBM is dedicated to working with partners at the global, regional and country levels to support national programmes and their efforts to control or eliminate NTDs in line with WHO and national programme guidelines.
Some key facts:
• CBM supports work with NTDs in 25 countries
• CBM-supported programmes treated 18.3 million patients for onchocerciasis and trachoma in 2014, while a further 12.9 million patients were treated for LF, STHs and schistosomiasis
• Last year Ecuador celebrated the elimination of river blindness(onchocerciasis). Ecuador is only the second country to be verified as onchocerciasis free by the WHO. CBM has been involved in fighting this disease in Ecuador since 1992.
• Along with other NGOs, CBM is involved in The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Trachoma Initiative to tackle blinding trachoma in 11 Commonwealth countries by 2019. CBM is an implementing partner in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda.
Download CBM NTD Report 2015
NTD NGDO Network
The NTD NGDO Network (NNN) was established in October 2009 to create a global forum for nongovernmental development organizations (NGDOs) working to control onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths, trachoma, and leprosy. These NTDs share common strategies including community-based health interventions that can be integrated to strengthen health care systems.
The NNN meetings this year will be hosted by CBM from 13 - 16 September in Abu Dhabi. Over 150 member organisations based around the globe will attend the meetings. Cross cutting issues such as morbidity management and disability prevention and the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene in preventing NTDs will be a focus of this year’s meeting.
CBM is committed to combatting NTDs by working with alliances and partnerships around the world. CBM further recognises the need to improve the quality of life of persons affected by NTDs and other disabilities, and aims to achieve inclusion of persons with disabilities as equal members of their communities.Dr Muhammad Babar Qureshi (CBM Director for Neglected Tropical Diseases)
CBM publishes its Neglected Tropical Diseases Report
The NTD Report 2015 provides details of our work in NTDs in over 25 countries across the globe
Read more
Coordinating trachoma efforts in Africa
We speak with Helen Bokea, the CBM regional trachoma coordinator for Africa, about her work with NTDs in the region.
Read more