MSF’s concerns regarding the 30th January 2012 Neglected Tropical Diseases Conference in London
MSF is delighted that attention is finally being paid to some of the diseases that have been neglected for too long. The US and UK’s increased support to control of worm diseases, mainly by preventive chemotherapy through mass drug administration, is encouraging.
However, in the midst of all the positivity MSF wishes to highlight what is still missing if deadly neglected diseases are truly to be eliminated.
Neglected tropical diseases
MSF staff test a mother and child for Chagas disease. Bolivia. © Juan Carlos Tomasi
Though the World Health Organisation, donors and development agencies are drawing attention to Neglected Tropical Diseases, they are underplaying the challenge of tri-tryps or kinetoplastids diseases such as Chagas disease, sleeping sickness, and visceral leishmaniasis.
These illnesses are slated for elimination or control in the World Health Organisation’s Roadmap 2020.
Eliminating tropical diseases
However, so far the strategy is missing some key elements, and the goals to eliminate or control these diseases will only be credible when some critical remaining gaps are filled.
Drug companies and donations
By putting so much emphasis on drug donations, MSF is concerned that the WHO’s priorities are at risk of being influenced by what products companies are offering.
Ultimately, the commitments outlined above by Gilead, Novartis and other companies reflect the policies of the companies, but do not necessarily reflect public health priorities.