Researchers in Africa are about to receive a significant financial boost to further research and develop innovative solutions to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) on the continent. This exciting development comes as a result of a cooperative agreement signed between the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD) and the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD), a program under the Task Force for Global Health.
The collaboration, spanning over five years, is particularly crucial given Ghana’s recent discovery of at least 11 new cases of dengue fever and the prevalence of various tropical diseases in the country. Reports indicate that over 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, predominantly from impoverished communities, are affected by NTDs.
Despite the devastating health, social, and economic impacts of these diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and toxins, research into eradicating NTDs remains a challenge due to the lack of interest and funding. Dr. John Amuasi, the Executive Director of the ARNTD, expressed the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need to address diseases such as filariasis, onchocerciasis, and snake bites in Africa.
The cooperative agreement will be funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the “Ending Tropical Diseases through Operational Research” initiative. Dr. Patrick Lammie, Director of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center at The Task Force for Global Health, is optimistic about the potential impact of the alliance in increasing African-led research on NTDs.
The partnership, hosted at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicines at KNUST, aims to enhance the research capacity of scientists in Africa. Professor Ellis Owusu Dabo, Pro-VC of KNUST, emphasized the importance of empowering young faculty members to conduct research on neglected tropical diseases and support future generations of researchers.
By supporting national governments in developing robust NTD programs and aligning efforts with endemic country program managers and researchers, the project aims to facilitate the elimination of NTDs in Africa. Prof. Gertruida Hester O’Neill, the Board Chair of ARNTD, emphasized how the grant would benefit members of the network and contribute to public health through high-quality scientific research and community engagement.
Overall, the collaboration between ARNTD and COR-NTD signifies a significant step towards addressing neglected tropical diseases in Africa and fostering sustainable solutions to improve public health outcomes on the continent.
