South Sudan: Fight against neglected tropical diseases
As of 2021, almost 17 million people in South Sudan have received treatment for elephantiasis, trachoma, river blindness, bilharzia, and soil-transmitted worms.
South Sudan, with the support of WHO and partners, has worked in recent years to combat the threat of neglected tropical diseases by providing medicines and strengthening prevention measures to accelerate progress towards the eradication of these diseases. But for Ader Macar Aciek, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, “The road to eliminating neglected tropical diseases is long.”
In South Sudan, 19 of 20 neglected tropical diseases are endemic and pose a significant threat to health. More than 12 million people are at risk of being infected by these diseases which can cause severe pain, disability and deformity, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 20 diseases that occur mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. As of 2021, almost 17 million people in South Sudan have received treatment for elephantiasis, trachoma, river blindness, bilharzia, and soil-transmitted worms.
The country’s master plan aligns with the global roadmap for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
