World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

The World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is celebrated on January 30. The day is marked to create awareness on the neglected tropical diseases.

Theme

In 2022, the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is celebrated under the following theme:

Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty related diseases

History

The first World Neglected Tropical Diseases was marked in 2020. The proposal to celebrate the day was made by UAE (United Arab Emirates). The proposal was made at the 74^th World Health Assembly.

Why on January 30?

To commemorate the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases. It was launched in January 30, 2012. It was the first road map on Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Significance

The day calls to end the suffering from 20 diseases. These diseases are caused by bacteria, virus, fungi and other toxins. The 20 neglected tropical diseases are Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, Dengue and Chickengunya, Dracunculiasis, Yaws, Foodborne trematodiases, human African trypanosomiasis, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis. Rabies, schistosomiasis, soil – transmitted helminthiasis, taeniasis or cysticercosis, trachoma, chromoblastomycosis, scabies, snakebite envenoming.