WS 15 - Neglected Tropical Diseases and their Co-Morbidities

More than 1.4 billion people around the world are infected with at least one NTD. The systemic impact of these diseases is considerable, not just because of the sheer number of those affected, but also because people suffering from NTDs have a higher risk of acquiring other diseases, such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, cancer, diabetes and often develop various forms of physical disabilities, often requiring medical assistance. Women and girls suffering from NTDs, such as anaemia caused by hookworm infection or schistosomiasis have a higher risk of potentially lethal complications during childbirth.
People suffering from NTDs also disproportionally suffer from stigma associated with disabilities and often develop constraints in their mental health status.

This session aims at highlighting the consequences and opportunities of integrating NTDs into the health system strengthening approach that the German government has recently introduced into the global health agenda. Programs to combat NTDs have a beneficial effect on health systems, because they substantially reduce the burden of diseases the systems have to cope with. They can also strengthen other preventive programmes, such as mother-and-child programmes and initiatives to fight hunger and poverty.