Maldives and Sri Lanka eliminate lymphatic filariasis
New Delhi, 3 June 2016 - In a significant progress against neglected
tropical diseases in WHO South-East Asia Region, Maldives and Sri Lanka
have eliminated lymphatic filariasis, a disease that was crippling
people for decades, forcing them to lead a life of stigma,
discrimination and poverty.
"The achievement by Maldives and Sri Lanka demonstrates the resolve
of these countries and the Region as a whole to eliminate all neglected
tropical diseases, which have no reason to continue and mar the lives of
people," Dr Poonam Khretrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East
Asia Region, said. The success in Maldives and Sri Lanka follows
intensified mosquito control efforts; treatment of the infected
population, disability prevention and control; strengthening of
surveillance; and closely monitoring and evaluating these efforts which
together helped eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health
problem. Population
"The neglected tropical disease (NTD) is typically of the 'neglected'
population, the poor and the marginalised. By eliminating this NTD as a
public health problem, Maldives and Sri Lanka have shown the way for
reaching these populations with other health interventions, much needed
to improve their overall health," Dr Khetrapal Singh said. Eliminating
NTDs is also critical to sustainable development goals which emphasises
on 'no one being left behind'. "Maldives is committed to enhancing
health and wellbeing of its population. Achieving the goal of
eliminating lymphatic filariasis, as a public health problem, has been
possible with tireless efforts of hundreds of health workers across the
island nation," Ms Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Health, Maldives, said.
Problem
"Lymphatic filariasis elimination as a public health problem in Sri
Lanka is a major public health success which has been possible with our
strong commitment, dedication of our health workforce and active
participation and support of the community," Dr Rajitha Senaratne,
Minister of Health, Sri Lanka, said. Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is
believed to have been endemic in Maldives since 12th and 13th century
and is traced back to much earlier in Sri Lanka, with the mosquitos
transmitting the bug found in abundance across the two countries.
Elephantiasis
Commonly known as elephantiasis, LF occurs when filarial parasites
are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Infection is usually
acquired in childhood and the painful and profoundly disfiguring visible
manifestations appear much later in life, often in the form of
elephantiasis which causes permanent disability. These patients suffer
the disease and also suffer mental, social and financial losses
contributing to stigma and poverty. In 2012, the WHO neglected tropical
diseases roadmap set the year 2020 as a target for achieving elimination
of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. For LF elimination,
WHO's strategy is based on two key components - stopping the spread of
infection through large-scale annual treatment of entire populations at
risk in an area or region where infection is present; and alleviating
the suffering caused by lymphatic filariasis through increased disease
management and disability prevention measures. In the South-East Asia
Region, WHO has been prioritising finishing the task of eliminating
diseases on the verge of elimination. Following Maldives and Sri Lanka's
success, LF endemic countries working towards elimination is now reduced
to seven in the Region. |