GUINEA BISSAU—The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been acknowledged for gains in tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the region.
The Leadership Award in NTDs is presented by the global Non-governmental organization (NGO), Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The award was presented during the ECOWAS Heads of State Meeting, in Bissau, Guinea Bissau.
The award also honored 10 ECOWAS member states from among 21 others, who had successfully eliminated, at least, one NTD.
Additionally, Ghana and the Benin Republic both received the Major Achievement Award for eliminating three NTDs each.
Guinea Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the current Chairman of ECOWAS, commended the region for its relentless pursuit of an NTD-free West Africa.
President Embaló said, “Across West Africa, we have witnessed the transformative impact of our combined efforts. Through sustained commitment and innovative strategies, we have made substantial strides in reducing the prevalence of NTDs, alleviating human suffering, and promoting a brighter future for our people.”
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has been recognized for gains made by the West Africa region in tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect more than 600 million people in Africa, nearly half of whom are in ECOWAS.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said, “The progress we have made in eliminating these debilitating diseases is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our member states and serves as an inspiration to double down on our efforts.”
Adding to the celebratory sentiments was the Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), Dr. Melchior Athanase J.C. Aïssi who said that the collective determination and coordinated actions of ECOWAS member states are reflected in a recent health ministers’ resolution in Abuja in accelerating the elimination of NTDs and could serve as a model for other regions.
Fighting NTDS in West Africa
The recognition follows continued efforts by various countries and health partners such as the Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, to eliminate the diseases.
Development of the Continental Framework and Common Africa Position on NTDs, which acts as a strategic guide in the fight against NTDs, has led to calls for increased national funding, to eliminate the ailments by 2030.
The Chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki recognized ECOWAS efforts, “The exceptional achievement by ECOWAS showcases the relentless efforts to accelerate the elimination of NTDs on the Continent. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we must redouble our efforts to promote domestic resource mobilization, enhance integration and further advance the fight.”
Recently, Benin and Mali were validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for successfully eliminating trachoma, a highly contagious bacterial infection that is the primary cause of infectious blindness globally.
Notably, Ghana holds the distinction of being the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma and joins Benin and Togo in having successfully eliminated at least three NTDs each.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said, “I am immensely proud of the remarkable progress we have made in combating NTDs in our region. We have shown that together, and with resilience, no challenge is insurmountable.”
President Akufo-Addo reiterated calls to continue to push boundaries, strengthen partnerships, and leave no one behind in our pursuit of an NTD-free West Africa.
“The Kigali Declaration on NTDs, which Ghana is proud to have endorsed, provides the political framework for countries and partners to come together to deliver our global goals,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Important to remember, NTDs are a group of 20 preventable and treatable diseases that are endemic in 49 African countries, and which affect over a billion people globally.
Moreover, they cause suffering, disability, and disfigurement, and are fatal in many cases.
NTDs also inflict significant economic damage on individuals and countries, in terms of lost productivity and treatment costs and unfortunately, the African continent accounts for more than a third of the global NTD burden.
Recognition of the achievements of ECOWAS, Ghana, and Benin, follows that accorded to Togo in 2022, when it became the first country globally to eliminate four NTDs and the first African country to be validated as having eliminated sleeping sickness.
Significantly, Uniting to Combat NTDs is a group of partners working to control, eliminate and eradicate neglected tropical diseases and improve the lives of over a billion people. I
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