Noguchi holds symposium on Neglected Tropical Diseases

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has successfully organized a symposium to raise awareness and promote action against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The symposium, themed “Involving Communities: A Hands-on Approach to Neglected Diseases,” was held on January 30, 2025.

It brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for combating NTDs, with a keynote address highlighting the importance of community engagement in disease control efforts.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of infectious illnesses that predominantly impact underserved communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 21 diseases and disease groups as NTDs, including Dengue Fever, Leprosy, Chagas Disease, Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Trachoma, Onchocerciasis, among others.

In Ghana, 14 of these diseases are widespread, mainly affecting the nation’s most impoverished populations.

At the symposium organized by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to commemorate the day, experts examined the significant effects of these diseases.

Head of Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Department of Parasitology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute, Professor Dziedzom Komi De Souza, has emphasized on the significant influence of environmental factors on the spread of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and the pressing need to disrupt their transmission cycle.

“The pathogens exist in our surroundings, but we must take steps to disrupt the transmission cycle between humans and the environment to prevent the spread of these diseases”

Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute, Dorothy Yeboah-Manu emphasized that NTDs cause both serious physical health problems and social stigma, significantly impacting the lives of those affected. She stressed that tackling these diseases requires not only medical treatment but also efforts to restore dignity and combat stigma.

Professor De Souza also stressed on the importance of local funding for NTD research and interventions, as reliance on foreign aid, particularly USAID puts these programs at risk. With the U.S. government pausing its funding, many initiatives could be disrupted or reversed. To prevent setbacks, he has called on stakeholders to establish a sustainable, locally funded support system.

Experts and stakeholders who gathered at the World NTD Day Symposium 2025 discussed innovative strategies, shared success stories, and advocated for stronger collaboration and funding in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases.

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Story by: Cindy Selasi Humade | www.univers.edu.gh