The World Health Organization (WHO), which is partnership with the National Department of Health (NDoH), will be observing the World Neglected Tropical Disease Day on 30th January at the Department of Health headquarters in the nation’s capital, with the theme “Act Now. Act to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases”.
This was made known by Manager for Disease Control and Surveillance for National Department of Health, Dr. Lucy John and Technical officer for Neglected Tropical Disease (WHO) Dr. Sarosh Jamil.
According to Dr. Lucy, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are common diseases that have been existing within the tropics that have not been given priority and has led to progressive disability of individuals.
She made it known that currently there are 20 neglected tropical diseases but for PNG, there are 7 identified NTDs scattered around the country.
“In Papua New Guinea we have Lymphatic Filariasis, leprosy, trachoma, hookworms, scabies, dengue and buruli ulcer which we know that is existing in Papua New Guinea”, said Dr. Lucy.
WHO, while working closely with the country’s health authorities will implement their NTDs strategic plan to eradicate NTDs by 2030 starting with the five provinces with the highest number of NTDs.
Dr. Lucy confirmed that these NTDs are curable and all treatments to these diseases are available; however, effective awareness and intervention programs will be carried out to educate the people on these diseases.
“Lots of awareness campaign and educational messages has to be done to get people to educate themselves to find the symptoms of these NTDs on them and come forward to nearest health facilities to be treated.”
“We have in place the leprosy plan, Filariasis treatment programs, buruli ulcer programs including the trachoma interventions that has been going on and we try to target them like that using our strategy,” said the Manager for disease control.
Dr. Sarosh also outlined the three interventions set in place by WHO in alignment with the NDoH’s National Health Plan to eradicate NTDs in the country.
“For the first intervention we are planning to implement integrated approach of combatting multiple NTDs using screening of population to identify, test and treat people suffering with NTDs”
“The second intervention we will be conducting intensive education and awareness campaign so people are aware and access rightful health facilities to be treated.”
“Our third intervention in place will look at building the capacity of the health work force in identification and diagnosing and treating those diseases”, said Dr. Sarosh.
The three intervention methods that is practiced globally will be carried out for the next three to four years in high risks provinces within the country to eliminate NTDs.
According to Dr. Sarosh, the role of WHO in combatting NTDs is providing normative guidance, technical support, engaging different partners and to help PNG frame its policies to plan their interventions into eliminating these diseases.
The World NTDs Day that will be observed on Monday next week will see more information surrounding NTDs and possible prevention and cure measures provided to the general public.
“It’s not an easy road to take, this is our challenge in terms of manpower, in terms of funding, the geographical terrain and inaccessibility, that’s why we are doing it in an integrated manner so when we have a pool of resources it enables us to target provinces with the highest number of NTDs”, said Dr. Lucy.
The National Department of Health is in in partnership with the World Health Organization and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to roll out its plans on eradicating NTDs in Papua New Guinea.