Joy Phumaphi: Why eliminating NTDs would have far-reaching socio-economic impacts
Published: 31 January 2023
Commemorating World NTD Day, Joy Phumaphi, ALMA Executive Secretary, authored an opinion piece for Nation.
The effort to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) should not be narrowly viewed as solely eradicating diseases. Instead, it should be recognised as a critical step towards promoting a more equitable society, human capital development, and gender equity. This is the view of the Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Joy Phumaphi.
NTDs not only present a formidable public health challenge, but also persistently impact marginalised communities, sustaining poverty. Often, this disproportionately affects women and exacerbate gender disparities, besides restricting economic prospects among affected communities.