A Historic Week For Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases team has been in Malawi with Honourable Minister for Health Hon Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda MP Sightsavers , UK in Malawi, The Countess of Wessex and partners, celebrating the elimination of trachoma in Malawi.

This week we were also delighted to join Mectizan Donation Program & partners to celebrate the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (eliminated in 2020 but celebrated this week due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020).

The Honourable Minister for Health Hon Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda MP told us “Right now, I’m smiling because World Health Organization declared that we have eliminated trachoma. And earlier this week we got a certificate, that we have eliminated Lymphatic Filariasis. Our message is a message of hope, that it is doable.”

His Majesty King Charles sent a letter to His Excellency the President of Malawi Dr. Lazarus Chakwera congratulating Malawi for becoming the first country in southern Africa to eliminate trachoma.

The President of Malawi Dr. Lazarus Chakwera reaffirmed his commitment to ending tropical diseases.

46 countries have now eliminated a neglected tropical disease, showing that progress is possible. Investing in NTD elimination programmes transforms lives & communities. We are #100PercentCommitted to ending NTDs.