Unified action is key to addressing neglected tropical diseases
by Grace Browne
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Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) — a group of infectious diseases that disproportionately affect impoverished communities in tropical and subtropical regions — impact over a billion people worldwide. Despite this huge burden, they often receive relatively little global attention and funding in comparison to other major health threats. That means addressing them requires not only greater investment and public awareness, but collective action on a major scale.
Recognising the importance of a coordinated response, in 2024, Malaria Consortium became a member of the National Podoconiosis Action Network (NaPAN), a coalition of organisations dedicated to tackling skin-related NTDs. Established in 2011, NaPAN serves as an umbrella organisation with a shared mission to combat conditions such as podoconiosis, scabies, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy.
“Malaria Consortium joining an organisation like NaPAN will greatly boost efforts to prevent and control podoconiosis, which affects an estimated four million people worldwide,” says Tedila Habte, Country Technical Coordinator for Malaria Consortium Ethiopia. “This partnership will foster stronger collaboration among member organisations and facilitate the sharing of essential knowledge and expertise.”
The inclusion of Malaria Consortium in NaPAN is an important step forward in addressing these debilitating diseases. With extensive expertise in disease prevention and vector control, Malaria Consortium is well-positioned to contribute to the network’s efforts across different skin-related NTDs, says Asrat Mengiste, Neglected Tropical Diseases Technical Advisor at CDT-Africa and board chairperson of NaPAN.
For instance, both podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis are conditions clinically defined by leg swelling but have different root causes: podoconiosis is caused by long-term barefoot exposure to irritant soils, and lymphatic filariasis by infection with parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. Both should be “managed in an integrated manner,” says Mengiste, in order to make optimal use of resources. That’s where the work and expertise of Malaria Consortium comes in: the organisation’s expert knowledge of prevention and vector control is instrumental in tackling conditions such as lymphatic filariasis.
Malaria Consortium has carried out significant work to date in Ethiopia to tackle podoconiosis and other NTDs, ensuring their integration into primary healthcare services. Our most recent project, Happy Feet, has been working to control podoconiosis through community-based interventions, providing universal access to better quality services and footwear to help prevent and manage the disease. This involves working with primary healthcare units to support healthcare workers to better catch and treat those affected.
At a more advanced level, Malaria Consortium also aims to influence policy decision-making around podoconiosis; for instance, advocating for evidence-based prevention and treatment regimes, and working with stakeholders across sectors to make this a reality. Malaria Consortium’s emphasis on promoting gender equity in our work also plays a role, as podoconiosis disproportionately affects women and girls.
Mengiste says that much has improved in recent decades with regard to how NTDs are addressed, but there’s still a long way to go. This is why partnerships between organisations like Malaria Consortium and NaPAN are so vital, says Fikre Hailekiros, Executive Director of NaPAN. “By leveraging their expertise in disease management and advocacy, Malaria Consortium can contribute to innovative solutions and foster collaboration, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for vulnerable communities affected by podoconiosis and other skin NTDs."
The only way to truly and effectively address diseases such as podoconiosis is through a concerted and global effort, which is why partnerships with organisations such as NaPAN are so crucial. Through combining resources, expertise and a shared mission, these collaborations can drive sustainable solutions and bring lasting relief to affected communities.
Read more:
Happy Feet: Community-based podoconiosis prevention and control in Ethiopia
From steps to solutions: Advancing podoconiosis prevention and control in Ethiopia