Neglected Tropical Diseases
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REPORT OF THE GLOBAL PARTNERS’ MEETING ON NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES Geneva, Switzerland 19−20 April 2007 A turning point2007 Photo front cover: C. Black WHO Layout: P. Tissot WHO/HTM/NTD NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES REPORT OF THE GLOBAL PARTNERS’ MEETING ON NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES 2007 A turning point Geneva, Switzerland 19−20 April 2007 WHO/CDS/NTD/2007.4 © World Health Organization 2007 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e-mail: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; e-mail: [email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use. Printed in France Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) World Health Organization 20, Avenue Appia 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................................i Neglected tropical diseases ....................................................................................................ii Form and structure of the Partners’ report .............................................................................. iii PART I. A VISION TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF NEGLECTED DISEASES ......................................1 Opening speech .................................................................................................................... 1 Keynote address by distinguished guests ................................................................................5 PART II. PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS ......................................................................................15 Turning resolutions into realities .............................................................................................15 Turning targets into treatments ............................................................................................... 21 Turning demand into delivery .................................................................................................31 Turning research into access ...................................................................................................43 Turning planning into partnerships ......................................................................................... 51 Turning disease control towards Millenium Development Goals ................................................ 55 PART III. REPORTS FROM WORKING GROUPS: ACTION POINTS FOR INTEGRATED CONTROL ........61 Working groups .................................................................................................................... 61 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 63 Annex. Participants representing the global partners .............................................................. 65 o7 Introduction Acknowledgements The meeting of global partners on neglected tropical diseases is a positive sign that health is a responsibility shared by the international community. The Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases of the World Health Organization wishes to thank partners in Member States, United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations and colleagues in the WHO Regions for their generosity, support and hard work. Special thanks are extended to Professor David W.T. Crompton of the University of Glasgow, Scotland and to Mrs Patricia Peters, Kirriemuir Secretarial, Glasgow, Scotland for their major contribution to the development of this report. i First Global Partners’ meeting on NTDs Neglected tropical diseases An estimated one billion people – one sixth of the world’s population – are infected with one or more neglected tropical diseases. These diseases are largely ancient infectious diseases that thrive in impoverished settings, especially in the heat and humidity of tropical climates. The list of neglected tropical diseases is not exhaustive and has regional and national variations. Initially, WHO will focus on control of the following diseases: • Buruli ulcer • Chagas disease • Dengue/dengue haemorrhaegic fever • Dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) • Endemic treponematoses (yaws, pinta, endemic syphilis...) • Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) • Leishmaniasis • Leprosy • Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) • Onchocerciasis • Schistosomiasis • Soil-transmitted helminthiasis • Trachoma “Neglected Tropical Diseases Hidden successes Emerging opportunities” ii o7 Form andstructureof the Partners’ Report The Global Partners’ Meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases was held at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on 19–20 April 2007. Some 200 participants attended the meeting, including representatives of WHO Member States, United Nations agencies, the World Bank, philanthropic foundations, universities, pharmaceutical companies, international nongovernmental organizations and other institutions dedicated to contributing their time, efforts and resources to control neglected tropical diseases. This meeting declared to the world that control of these diseases deserves high priority on the global public health agenda and still greater determination to deliver appropriate health care to the millions of poor people in need. The vision, commitment, determination and steps forward were highlighted by the inspiring declarations of His Excellency Mr Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso, and His Excellency Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The form and structure of this report has evolved from the opening speech delivered by Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. Its theme – that the meeting marked a turning point in the long and notorious history of some of humanity’s oldest diseases – has been developed to emphasize where circumstances and conditions are being transformed by governments and their partners to bring relief from the ravages of these diseases. The material provided by representatives during two days of extensive debate, where verbal or actual, was recorded. This report does not contain all these contributions. Rather, it presents selected quotations arranged by subject matter. Although some minor editing was required for conformity with WHO house style, most of the quotations are presented verbatim and in alphabetical order by the speakers’ institution or the government ministry. No attempt has been made to prioritize the order of the material presented or to suggest that some quotations are more important than others. Each unique contribution is of value and served to emphasize the sincere commitment of all partners to advance the control of neglected tropical diseases. Secretariat World Health Organization Geneva, Switzerland iii o7 A vision to relieve the burden of Neglected Disease Opening speech Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization Excellencies, distinguished ministers of health, We welcome other United Nations agencies. representatives of industry, colleagues in health These diseases have international importance in and development, ladies and gentlemen. sectors well beyond health. This meeting – the first event of its kind – marks a Finally, we can welcome the World Bank and the turning point in the long and notorious history of development banks of Africa and Asia. There are some of humanity’s oldest diseases. economic consequences as well. We have solid evidence that these diseases hold back economic Gathered in this room are scientists who have development in many significant ways. spent their careers unravelling the complexities of these diseases. I have described this meeting as a turning point. Why have these diverse interests converged in Political leaders and ministries of health in this room today? This is indeed a prestigious endemic countries are present, demonstrating gathering for diseases historically prone to the level of commitment to diseases that almost neglect! exclusively affect poor