The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Chad for eliminating the gabiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. It marks the first neglected tropical disease to be eradicated in the country.
Chad is the first country to be recognized for eliminating a neglected tropical disease by 2024, becoming the 51stSt country that has achieved such a goal globally and marks the first step beyond the midpoint towards the global limit of 100 countries set for 2030. The 100 country goal is one of four global overarching goals set by her Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021β2030.
βI congratulate the government and people of Chad for this achievement. It is great to see Chad joining the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD. The goal of 100 countries is closer and more accessible” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Sleeping sickness can initially cause flu-like symptoms, but eventually cause behavioral changes, confusion, sleep cycle disturbances, or even coma, often leading to death. Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response, has demonstrated that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.
So far, seven countries have been certified by the WHO to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis gambiense: Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Ivory Coast (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana ( 2023) and Chad (2024). The rhodesiense form of the disease has been eliminated as a public health problem in one country, Rwanda, as confirmed by the WHO in 2022.
βThe elimination of the gabiense form of human African trypanosomiasis in Chad reflects our commitment to improving the health of our people. This achievement is the result of years of dedicated efforts by our healthcare workers, communities and partners. We will continue this momentum to tackle other neglected tropical diseases and ensure a healthier future for all Chadians.β said Hon. Dr. Abdel Modjid Abderahim Mahamat, Minister of Health, Chad.
As of June 2024, across the WHO African region, 20 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, with Togo having eliminated 4 diseases and Benin and Ghana having eliminated 3 diseases each.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This Press Release has been issued by APO. The content is not monitored by the African Business editorial team and the content has not been checked or validated by our editorial teams, proof readers or fact checkers. The publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.