Ending Debilitating Diseases Can Improve Workforce – ENDFUND

By Oyinlola Awonuga

ENDFUND, a private philanthropic initiative, has said that ending debilitating diseases can improve the productivity of workforce on national levels.

This was conveyed in a report titled: “Achieving The Goals Of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The report was presented by a member of African Media Agency, Mary Ajayi during a Media online workshop held recently.

According to the report,  the Return on Investment, (ROI), for growing economies is significant.

The report stated that ending these debilitating diseases can improve the productivity of workforces, creating a potential ‘health dividend’ – put simply, the socio-economic benefit of having a healthier workforce – on national levels.

Ajayi however unveiled the most prevalent NTDs diseases which are:

Intestinal worms – This is the most common NTD worldwide, it is caused by a group of parasitic worms. In the body, adult worms live in the intestines and produce thousands of eggs a day.

These cause a variety of symptoms, such as anemia, malnutrition, swelling of the abdomen, weight loss, diarrhea, and more. (More than 1.7 billion people are in need of treatment worldwide.)

Schistosomiasis – A chronic disease caused by parasitic worms that live in freshwater snails. It is the second most devastating parasitic disease in tropical countries, one of the most debilitating and causes the most fatalities of NTDs. It can infect the urinary tract, intestinal tract, or the body tissue causing long-term morbidity. (More than 228 million people are in need of treatment worldwide.)

Lymphatic filariasis – A mosquito-borne disease that is caused by parasitic roundworms. It can lead to severe disfigurement and disability caused by swelling from fluid build-up in the lymphatic system. This symptom is often known as elephantiasis and is the most recognizable characteristic of the disease. (More than 892 million people are in need of treatment worldwide.)

Blinding trachoma – The leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide, is a bacterial infection of the eye. It is spread through direct contact with people who are infected, as well as contact with flies. If untreated, the eyelids turn inwards and scratch the cornea causing extreme pain and discomfort and eventual blindness. (More than 142 million people are in need of treatment.)

River blindness – Is an eye and skin infection that is caused by a parasitic worm transmitted by the bite of a black fly that lives and breeds on the banks of rivers. (More than 217 million people are in need of treatment.)

Also, Ajayi stressed that “over 1.7 billion people worldwide need treatment for NTDs. These diseases, according to her, are disabling and debilitating and has caused early death (~170,000 per year) if left untreated.”

“Ending the five most prevalent NTDs is achievable in our lifetime. Treatments are available, generously donated by the pharmaceutical industry,” said Ajayi.

“We are working in collaboration with governments, NGOs, pharmaceutical, and academic partners to end these diseases in our lifetime.”