TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Chad has achieved a landmark success in public health by eliminating the gambiense form of Human African Trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem.
EXPLANATION:
- This accomplishment marks a significant step in the global effort to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Recognition by the World Health Organization
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Chad for this achievement, making it the first country in 2024 to eliminate a neglected tropical disease.
- Chad now joins a group of 51 countries that have successfully eliminated at least one NTD, surpassing the halfway mark towards the WHO’s target of 100 countries by 2030.
- This target is part of the broader goals outlined in the Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021–2030.
Significance of eliminating Human African Trypanosomiasis
- This is the first instance of a neglected tropical disease being eliminated in Chad, signifying a major public health victory for the nation.
- The successful elimination of sleeping sickness underscores the effectiveness of Chad’s health policies and interventions aimed at controlling and eradicating NTDs.
- Chad’s success contributes to the global momentum towards eliminating NTDs, as envisioned by the WHO’s strategic roadmap.
Progress in Other Countries
- Countries Eliminating Gambiense Form: To date, seven countries have been validated by the WHO for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis:
- Togo (2020)
- Benin (2021)
- Côte d’Ivoire (2021)
- Uganda (2022)
- Equatorial Guinea (2022)
- Ghana (2023)
- Chad (2024)
- Additionally, Rwanda has been validated by the WHO for eliminating the rhodesiense form of human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem in 2022.
Regional and Global Impact
- As of June 2024, 20 countries in the WHO African region have eliminated at least one NTD.
- Togo leads with the elimination of four diseases, while Benin and Ghana have each eliminated three diseases.
- Chad’s achievement is a critical step towards the global target of eliminating NTDs in 100 countries by 2030.
- It serves as a model for other nations, demonstrating that with sustained effort, strategic planning, and international support, significant public health milestones can be achieved.
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT)
- Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the Trypanosoma parasite.
- These parasites are passed to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies, which get the infection from humans or animals carrying the parasites.
- There are 2 forms of the disease: one caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, found in 24 countries in West and Central Africa, accounting for more than 92% of cases.
- The gambiense form is the only form of human African trypanosomiasis transmitted in Chad.
- There is another form of HAT caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, found in 13 countries in East and Southern Africa accounting for the remaining cases.
- The main approaches to controlling sleeping sickness include reducing the reservoirs of infection and reducing the presence of the tsetse fly.
- Screening of people at risk helps identify patients earlier in the disease development.
- Early diagnosis can help avoid complicated and risky treatments in the advanced stages, significantly improving the prognosis for a cure.
- If left untreated, it progresses to cause severe neurological symptoms, including behavioral changes, confusion, sleep disturbances, and potentially coma, often resulting in death.