Geneva — For the first time in Tanzania, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) will now be recognised in the National Health policy, which will enable the government to put in place a sufficient budget meant to control the public health menace, The Citizen has learnt. "When the control of NTDs is embedded in the National Health Policy, this comes along with more options for tackling the illnesses. "Having a good policy will make the local authorities to put the control of the diseases in their priorities too," he added. In 2012, an ambitious plan to control, eliminate or eradicate 10 neglected diseases was endorsed by a coalition of representatives from various sectors--it was the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases. "Further gains in the fight against neglected tropical diseases will depend on wider progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals," stresses Dr Dirk Engels, Director of the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 25, 2017 08:37 UTC