World: High-level meeting reaffirms shared commitment to strengthen cross-border collaboration and accelerate elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases

Country: World Source: World Health Organization A high-level meeting convened on 20 May on the margins of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly brought together global and regional leaders, Member States, donors, partners and technical experts to accelerate progress towards the elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The meeting underscored the importance of strong cross-border collaboration, exchange of best practices, and integrated multi-disease approaches to sustain gains, expand access to essential health services, and protect vulnerable populations across Africa and beyond. The event was convened by the African Union Commission and the World Health Organization/Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination, in collaboration with partners including the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), The END Fund, the Task Force for Global Health/Health Campaign Effectiveness Coalition, and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. A high burden of disease requiring immediate action Malaria and NTDs remain major global health challenges. Malaria alone affects an estimated 282 million people annually and causes approximately 610 000 deaths, with young children and pregnant women most at risk. NTDs impact nearly one billion people, with 1.4 billion requiring interventions each year. Global targets for 2030 include a 90% reduction in malaria cases and deaths and in the number of people requiring NTD interventions, the elimination of at least one NTD in 100 countries and malaria in at least 35 countries, and the prevention of disease resurgence. Despite significant progress over the past two decades – driven by expanded access to treatment, preventive campaigns, improved surveillance, and coordinated national efforts – new challenges threaten these gains. We...

Original source: Relief Web