By Madison Headen
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is a generalized term given to a variety of diseases because they are normally found in tropical areas and affect the “neglected” populations (the poorer communities). NTDs are commonly caused by environmental and sanitation factors, making it easier for the WHO to study and handle this disease than many others. While the epidemiology is simple, the symptoms of these diseases can be quite severe, some resulting in permanent debilitation. It is estimated that 1.7 billion people are seriously affected by NTDs, meaning that this classification of diseases should not be overlooked. The WHO has been able to isolate and treat NTDs effectively in the past, but the onset of COVID-19 has halted many efforts to aid those affected by NTDs.
Some of the efforts on hold due to the effects of COVID-19 include diagnoses, treatment interventions, disability management, shipments of medicine, and recruitment of professionals. Essentially, COVID-19 has indirectly caused other diseases, such as NTDs, to flourish and wreak havoc in addition to the damage that it has directly caused.
The main reason that COVID-19 has had such a large impact on the way that NTDs are handled is because of travel bans, shipment reductions, and the loss of workers in many manufacturing and shipping companies. In order to accurately diagnose and treat NTDs, it is essential that healthcare professionals and the proper medicines are able to reach the affected countries. It is now much more difficult for doctors to reach these countries and for the pharmaceutical materials to be shipped. In addition, COVID-19 has not allowed pharmaceutical companies to have as many workers as they would normally have. Therefore, the production of the appropriate pharmaceuticals is also limited, resulting in a shortage of the medicines needed to treat NTDs.
The WHO has recognized that their efforts to reduce the impact of NTDs have been thwarted due to the global threat of COVID-19. WHO is working with many pharmaceutical companies to maximize the availability of these necessary drugs in order to limit the negative impact of NTDs. In addition, they are working to collect monetary donations as well as the donations of pharmaceutical companies to ensure that those who need treatment are able to receive it.
Along millions of lives have been lost, the COVID-19 pandemic has had some extraordinarily different outcomes for different communities with regard to the other diseases we would normally face. In developed countries such as the US, where we would normally see numerous cases of the flu, the masks have protected us from this disease. On the other hand, developing countries clearly still endure the hardships of the many diseases that cannot be fixed by wearing a mask. The effects of these diseases have impacted them even harder without the full support of the WHO. With the vaccine on its way to being distributed worldwide, it is in the hopes of public health professionals that the immunization for COVID-19 will open new doors to start preventative measures for diseases that were forgotten amidst the chaos, such as neglected tropical diseases.
Source used:
Comentarios