Activities of the DNTDs

Talks with British Delegates and Ethiopia’s Health Minister

Berlin, June 21, 2018 – The chair of the German parliamentary advisory council against neglected tropical diseases, Dr. Georg Kippels, and an expert delegation from the German Network against Neglected Tropical Diseases DNTDs have visited the British Parliament. Dr. Kippels is a member of the German federal parliament and sits in the subcommittee for global health. He was following an invitation by British parliamentarian Jeremy Lefroy, who presides over the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases APPMG. The guest of honor for this inter-parliamentary meet-up was Dr. Amir Aman, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health. He talked about the health policies his country had adopted and pointed out that Ethiopia’s case showed how progress could be achieved when national governments took charge of combating neglected tropical disease with the help of donors. Dr. Aman emphasized that combating neglected tropical diseases also meant a country had to strengthen its health system accordingly. All participants reaffirmed the necessity for cross-national cooperation and agreed to plan regular exchanges and joint activities to further the battle against neglected tropical diseases.

Berlin. June 14, 2018 – Amidst a ceremony, members of the German parliament initiated an advisory council to combat neglected tropical diseases and strengthen health systems. Heike Baehrens MP is one of the ten parliamentary delegates who founded the council, and sits as vice council chair. She emphasized that the parliamentarians were committed to supporting the initiatives by the German Network Against Neglected Tropical Diseases DNTDs. Her colleague, Dr. Georg Kippels MP, heads the council. “All representatives gathered here today are well aware of the importance of joining efforts to battle the most prevalent infectious diseases. Worldwide, 1.5 billion people are affected. They mostly belong to the poorest of the poor and lack sufficient access to food, water or health services. Alongside the DNTDs, we want to give these people a voice here in Germany”, he said.

Alliances and Strategies

Berlin. February 21, 2018 – Over 60 representatives from international organizations and networks combatting neglected tropical diseases, as well as members of the German and British parliaments met for a parliamentary breakfast. Sponsored by German delegate Dr. Georg Kippels MP, the attendees discussed the current status of, and the upcoming challenges facing the battle against neglected tropical diseases. Nigerian health expert Dr. Joseph Chukwu German of the Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association DAHW described the challenges in Nigeria. He pointed out that many pharmaceutical companies already provided medication for neglected tropical diseases free of charge. But since medicines were not considered a service, there was more to be done in terms of their distribution. Jeremy Lefroy, member of the British parliament, explained the initiative by British representatives who joined forces across party lines to better support the fight against neglected tropical diseases. He invited his German colleagues to England for an exchange.

+ + DNTDs at German-African Healthcare Symposium (GAHS)

Berlin. 18.10.2017 -  Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organization (WHO) gave an overview on the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases and the role of the Mectizan Donation Program. Adrian Hopkins, Consultant to the CBM and former CEO of the Mectizan Donation Program (MDP) outlined the start of the Mectizan programme. In 1987, Merck announced the donation of Mectizan, a breakthrough medicine for the treatment of onchocerciasis, for as long as needed. More commonly known as "river blindness," onchocerciasis is found in six countries in Latin America, in Africa, and in Yemen. It is transmitted through the bites of black flies and can cause intense itching, disfiguring dermatitis, eye lesions and, over time, blindness. Ken Gustavsen, Executive Director for Corporate Responsibility at MSD explained the donation programme was the longest lasting medication initiative worldwide, as well as one of the most successful public-private health operations. Dr Yao Sodahlon, CEO of the Mectizan Donation Program (MDP) pointed out that the success achieved so far could only be upheld if new treatment strategies, alternative solutions and synergies with politics, governments, economies and society were continuously sought after.

+ + Workshop at the World Health Summit (WHS)

Berlin. 16.10.2017 - At the World Health Summit in Berlin Dr Humphrey Mazigo, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences/Tansania, Dr Dr Carsten Köhler, Tropical Disease Specialist and Director of the Center of Excellence of Tropical Medicine at the Institute for Tropical Medicine at the University Hospital Tübingen, Dr Jutta Reinhard-Rupp, Head of the R&D Translational Innovation Platform for Global Health at Merck, Prof Dr Achim Hörauf, Director of the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology at the University Bonn Medical Center and DNTDs speaker, Dr Monique Wasunna, Director of DNDi Africa, Dr Aluisio Cotrim Segurado, University of Sao Paulo, Faculty of Medecine, President, Brazil, Prof Dr David Molyneux, former Director at the Liverpool School for Tropical Medicine (not on the picture) discussed on game-changers in NTD-programmes. 

The event brought together experts from research, civil society, the private sector and national governments from the entire spectrum of health-related fields and industries. We offered a platform for exchange between practitioners from government bodies at various levels and from research. The experts debated on experiences and challenges related to research and development as well as implementation programmes against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).