India has most cases of these 11 neglected tropical diseases in the world: Study

• According to a recent study posted by PLOS, India ranks number one globally for the most cases of these 11 neglected tropical diseases.
  
• In spite of that, India has made a significant progress in the recent years towards NTD control and elimination.
  
• Today, as the International Tropic’s Day is being celebrated globally, India has the chance to bring global focus on the solutions of the issue.
  

According to a recent study posted by the Public Library of Science (PLOS), India ranks number one globally for the most number of cases when it comes to 11 neglected tropical diseases (NTD). The NTDs include Ascariasis, Hookworm disease, Trichuriasis, Dengue, Lymphatic filariasis (LF), Trachoma, Cysticercosis, Leprosy, Cystic echinococcosis, Visceral leishmaniasis and Rabies.

NTD’s are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions across 149 countries, which also includes India, according to WHO.

A study by WHO affirms this in a report that suggests that India has the most number of total cases of all major NTDs excluding those that are spatially bound because of transmission through unique insects or snails (e.g., schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease). Looking at the figures, it is possible that India’s high ranking extends beyond the diseases currently considered as NTDs by WHO.

Since India is the world’s second most populous nation and accounts for about 18% of the world’s population, it is expected to harbour a significant NTD burden. However, the fact these diseases are also associated with economic backwardness means that India can essentially have no excuse for topping the list.

The tropical country, in spite of being the seventh largest GDP in the world spends as little as 1.2% of its GDP on healthcare. The result of this neglection is that more than 50% cases of dengue, leprosy and trachoma occur in India. While the cases trichuriasis and cystic echinococcosis in India account for about 16% and 12% of the cases across the world respectively, other NTDs - ascariasis, hookworm disease, lymphatic filariasis, cysticercosis, visceral leishmaniasis and rabies - are about 18% to 45%.

Moreover, the cases of NTDs in India are not evenly distributed, but instead are focused in sections of poverty in both, urban and rural areas. If left unchecked the diseases are expected reduce India’s economy by impairing worker productivity and intellectual growth in children. The global community’s focus on India’s NTD problem could dramatically advance the global health agenda.

Internally, India has made a significant progress over the recent years towards NTD control and elimination. India is achieving a mass treatment coverage for almost 400 million people who are at risk of lymphatic filariasis. It has also has been committed to a multidrug therapy for leprosy for years now, however, it needs to continue or expand in order to reach 100% of the population. The optimal potential of safe and clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for battling NTDs also needs to be realised.

India, furthermore, hosts a sophisticated and extensive network of biotechnology organisations and private companies capable of developing vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics needed to battle the diseases. However, that hasn't been done yet due to the fact that new NTD technologies are not considered profitable.

On 14 December 2017, a collective of partners working together to defeat 10 neglected tropical diseases, released its fifth report that indicated the potential of an NTD-control programme which is community-based. The report also focused on reaching marginalised populations through well-trusted health workers and free medication to the population.

As per WHO‘s 2020 roadmap to eliminate at least 10 of the NTDs, India is committed to provide the necessary resources to remove the primary risk factors for NTDs which includes poverty. WHO realises that India’s contribution is necessary for its future targets. As International Tropic’s Day gets celebrated globally today (28 June), India could use the opportunity to bring greater focus on the solutions of these health issues.