Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng speaks at the launch of Master Plan against Neglected Tropical Diseases. (-)

The National Ministry of Health has launched a five-year Master Plan 2023 in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the country.

The launch of the master plan brought together health stakeholders including coordinators from different parts of South Sudan and the East African region.

The event aimed to review the actions against Neglected Tropical Diseases NTDs and necessary steps to be taken in mitigating the health crisis.

Health Minister Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng calls on health partners and stakeholders to align their strategic plan with that of the national government to see smooth improvement of health services in the country.

Awel said the master plan 2023 is in line with World Health Organization’s roadmap for elimination Neglected Tropical Diseases.

“The master plan underscores the need for the prevention of NTDs and comprehensive care of a person affected to reduce the suffering and restore full participation in family and community life,” she said.

“Through the National NTDs Master Plan, the Ministry of Health is committed to the broader elimination of such diseases. We must align to the national strategic plan of health this way we are working in harmony.”

On his part, Dr. David Ouguttu, the East African Community representative and also the national coordinator of river blindness in Uganda, affirmed cross-border collaboration to eliminate the NTD.

“For us to achieve elimination of the Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa, a cross-border collaboration is key. What we need as countries and World Health Organization is to strengthen our response plans, otherwise we shall have the diseases,” he said.

“Some countries can achieve the implementation when others are left behind, and all the effort put in by the partners will be jeopardized.”

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

NTDs are complex and often related to environmental conditions.

These diseases cause devastating health, social and economic consequences to more than one billion people, according to the World Health Organization.