1A9bnbK

4 THIRD WHO REPORT ON NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
***
Box 1.1 Registering progress
Controlling schistosomiasis in China
China has sustained the national schistosomiasis control programme and interrupted transmission in most endemic
areas through a comprehensive multi-pronged strategy phased out over several decades. The strategy includes
construction of dams, delivery of potable water and providing basic sanitation. 1 WHO is working with the Ministry of
Health on a pilot project in Zanzibar on the use and transfer of Chinese expertise through a joint China–Africa–WHO
collaboration for schistosomiasis control.
Joining forces to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is poised to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis as a public-health problem and is edging closer to the
target of achieving 1 case per 10 000 inhabitants per year in endemic areas at sub-district level by 2015. Through
community mobilization, access to improved antileishmanial medicines, a strong national control programme, a robust
surveillance system and an integrated vector control programme, more than 15 000 cases were diagnosed and
treated during the past 5 years. In 2013, 1284 cases were reported to WHO compared with 4293 cases in 2009. This
represents a reduction of more than 70% in the number of new cases reported annually. 2
_____________________
1
China’s sustained drive to eliminate neglected tropical diseases. Lancet. 2014;14:881–884. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70727-3.
2
http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/leishmaniasis_Bangladesh_2014/en/
In the Region of the Americas, new levels of political commitment have emerged. During
the meeting of the Organization of American States in June 2013, Heads of State endorsed
resolution CD49.R19 of the 49th Directing Council on the elimination of neglected diseases
and other poverty-related infections. That resolution urged Member States of endemic countries
to implement, among other things, treatment strategies in an integrated way and with broad
community participation so that these diseases would no longer be considered public-health
problems by 2015.
Also in June 2013, the regional meeting of the Council of Ministers of Health of Central
America and the Dominican Republic recognized the importance of NTD control and
elimination to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (for 2015) and the Sustainable
Development Goals (for 2030), including universal health coverage.
Table 1.1 highlights the progress accomplished in WHO’s regions.