30/01/2025
Kenya today joined the global community in marking World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing support for the control and elimination of these diseases.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa presided over the national commemoration at Marafa Level 4 Hospital in Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County. In her address, Dr. Barasa reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to addressing key challenges in the fight against NTDs, including sustainable funding, access to morbidity management services, and the integration of NTD services into the national health system.
“The elimination of these preventable diseases requires strong partnerships, resource mobilization, and a well-integrated health system,” Dr. Barasa emphasized. She called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that interventions reach affected communities, particularly those in marginalized areas.
NTDs, which include diseases such as schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and trachoma, continue to pose a significant health burden in Kenya, especially in regions with poor access to clean water and sanitation. The Ministry of Health has been implementing targeted interventions, including mass drug administration, vector control, and community education, in line with the Kenya National Master Plan for NTD Elimination (2023–2027).
