US turns attention to neglected tropical diseases and launches new website

1 Jul 2009

Paul Chinnock

Source: The NTD Initiative (see original article)

Comments

Announcements that the US government will increase its support for programmes focusing on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been followed by the launch of a website: www.neglecteddiseases.gov. The website provides information about the activities of the US NTD Initiative and will also be a useful resource on NTDs generally.

Since taking office, President Obama has said that the US will maintain its support for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis but will also “...focus attention on broader global health challenges, including child and maternal health, family planning, and neglected tropical diseases” – see White House press statement.

The NTD Initiative was launched in 2006 with an annual budget of $15 million. In 2010 the budget will reach $70m. Target diseases so far listed are:

These NTDs can all be treated effectively with mass drug administration. It is not clear whether the Initiative will subsequently broaden its focus to include other conditions (such as leishmaniasis and human African trypanosomiasis) which require research to develop more effective treatments than those currently available. Other diseases not yet featured on the new website include dengue fever, leprosy and guinea worm.

USAID’s control programme for NTDs has so far been active in eight countries – Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Uganda, Haiti, Sierra Leone, and Southern Sudan. This year the programme has been extended to Nepal, Bangladesh, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The new website includes a news section and provides resources which include reports, publications, tools and guidelines.