Activities of the DNTDs

Source: vfa/Laessig

Integration in Existing Health Programmes is Possible!

Berlin, October 15, 2018. Over 100 experts gathered at the World Health Summit to discuss neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and their co-morbidities – how they affect healthcare systems such as HIV/AIDS, anaemia among women and children, as well as mental illness. They find that co-morbidities, secondary contractions can be effectively treated or even prevented when the relation between NTDs and other diseases is discovered early enough. Thus, bladder cancer, for example, especially in sub-Saharan African countries, is often not recognized as a result of genital schistosomiasis. Integrated treatment could save lives and reduce health costs considerably.
 
The health consultant Dirk Engels joined the discussion and presented the new study “Integrating Neglected Tropical Diseases: Overlapping themes and projects in the German development cooperation portfolio” to an international audience. He described the link between NTDs and co-morbidities based on female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and psychological disorders, as well as the possibility of integrating NTD-components into existing health programmes. Narcis Kabaterine, from Uganda, consultant at Imperial College/UK, pointed to the connection between FGS and HIV. He estimates that 90 percent of the women and girls infected with schistosomiasis are also affected by genital schistosomiasis and thus more susceptible to HIV. Katey Owen, Director of Department of Neglected Diseases from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation introduced a new platform for distributing medication to combat NTDs. Christoph Benn, Senior Advisor at Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria emphasized that more people from civil society would have to raise awareness for neglected tropical diseases in order to achieve the goal of leaving no-one behind. The workshop was chaired by Carsten Köhler, member of the board of DNTDs, Director Center of Excellence of Tropical Medicine, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Institute for Tropical Medicine at University Hospital Tübingen.
 
The German Network Against Neglected Tropical Diseases (DNTDs) and its numerous members from research, civil society and the private sector call upon the German government to finally take action and enforce an integrated approach in the treatment programmes for neglected tropical diseases by incorporating it into other health and development programmes. The new study of Dirk Engels and Christian Franz on “Integrating Neglected Tropical Diseases” commissioned by the DNTDs spells out concrete starting points and realistic modes of implementation.

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.