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Angola marks World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day with structural advances in care
Summary
On Jan. 30 Angola marked World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day and launched its first Self-Care Group for case management of lymphedema and dracunculiasis.
Content
On January 30 Angola marked World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day with an event linked to the WHO Global Strategy for NTDs 2021–2030. The observance highlighted national steps to address diseases that cause disability and social exclusion. Neglected tropical diseases affect about 1.4 billion people worldwide and are associated with poverty, limited access to health services, and inadequate sanitation. Dr. Leonardo Inocêncio, Secretary of State for Hospitals, reported that Angola has 16 of the 21 recognized NTDs.
Key points:
- Angola created its first Self-Care Group for NTD case management, with an initial focus on lymphedema caused by lymphatic filariasis and on dracunculiasis.
- A training workshop at the Luanda Technical School of Health targeted physiatrists and nurses to strengthen skills in clinical management, rehabilitation, complication prevention, and promotion of self-care.
- The initiative is aligned with WHO pillars to reduce morbidity, disability, and human suffering and to integrate morbidity management and disability prevention into health services.
- WHO Representative Indrajit Hazarika highlighted four strategic measures reported as important for reaching elimination by 2030: increased funding in the state budget, strengthened access to safe drinking water and sanitation, investment in research and innovation, and full integration of NTDs into primary health care.
Summary:
The creation of the Self-Care Group and the associated training aim to reinforce a person-centered approach to morbidity management and to address stigma and functional rehabilitation. WHO reaffirmed support for Angola and emphasized funding, water and sanitation, research, and health system integration as reported priorities toward eliminating NTDs by 2030.
