Latest news with #NzuziKatondi
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) calls for renewed commitment to eradicate tuberculosis
On World Tuberculosis Day, March 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages Member States to step up their commitment and investments to accelerate progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and safeguard public health. In 2023, TB regained its dismal title as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The WHO African Region is particularly affected, with 2.5 million new cases and 404,000 deaths - equivalent to one life lost every 78 seconds. Dr. Nzuzi Katondi, WHO TB officer in Angola, said that the WHO congratulates the Angolan government for its dedicated efforts to eliminate TB and encourages it to continue accelerating initiatives and to quickly adopt the new WHO recommendations to end the suffering and deaths of Angolan citizens due to TB. 'The coverage of TB services in Angola has seen a remarkable improvement from 2018 to 2023, thanks to WHO's support in the implementation and revision of the National TB Control Strategic Plan (PEN TB) 2018-2022 and the development of the new TB Strategic Plan (PEN TB 2023-2027),' said Dr. Katondi. He added: 'WHO strongly encourages the government to accelerate crucial actions to end TB and safeguard public health. This includes expanding rapid diagnosis and treatment services into communities, systematizing screening, ensuring patient-centered TB care, and strengthening the primary health care network.' Despite the ongoing efforts, Angola remains one of the 20 countries most affected by TB worldwide, with an annual average of more than 65,000 new cases over the last five years. This underlines the urgent need to strengthen joint action to overcome the persistent challenges in the fight against TB and protect the health of the population. To strengthen initiatives against TB and end the suffering of families, the WHO calls on governments to implement five key measures: (a) closing the TB funding gap by increasing national investments, (b) strengthening surveillance and data systems to improve case detection and treatment outcomes, (c) expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools and innovative treatment regimens, (d) engaging communities to ensure patient-centered TB care, and (e) addressing the social determinants of TB, including poverty, malnutrition and inadequate access to healthcare. TB is one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, but it can be prevented and cured. At the second United Nations high-level meeting on tuberculosis in September 2023, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030. The WHO, therefore, encourages high-level leadership, increased investment, the adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral and cross-country collaboration to combat the tuberculosis epidemic and realize the commitments made. 'The coverage of TB services in Angola has seen a remarkable improvement from 2018 to 2023, thanks to WHO's support in the implementation and revision of the National TB Control Strategic Plan (PEN TB) 2018-2022 and the development of the new TB Strategic Plan (PEN TB 2023-2027),' said Dr. Katondi. He added: 'WHO strongly encourages the government to accelerate crucial actions to end TB and safeguard public health. This includes expanding rapid diagnosis and treatment services into communities, systematizing screening, ensuring patient-centered TB care, and strengthening the primary health care network.' Despite the ongoing efforts, Angola remains one of the 20 countries most affected by TB worldwide, with an annual average of more than 65,000 new cases over the last five years. This underlines the urgent need to strengthen joint action to overcome the persistent challenges in the fight against TB and protect the health of the population. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Angola develops a strategic plan to eradicate Guinea worm disease
In a concerted effort led by the Ministry of Health and supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Angola has outlined a comprehensive strategy to eradicate Guinea worm disease (GWD). This initiative, which involves public and private institutions, national and international organizations, and civil society, aims to protect the Angolan population from this debilitating disease. Between 2018 and 2024, Angola reported 136 cases of dracunculiasis, including 3 in humans and 133 in animals (dogs), all in the province of Cunene during the transmission period from January to May. In 2025, provisional infections in animals increased, with 52 cases reported, of which 19 were confirmed and 33 were waiting for laboratory results between 1 January and 15 March, compared to 24 confirmed infections in animals in 2024. Dr. Nzuzi Katondi, responsible for the WHO's Neglected Diseases area in Angola, stressed the importance of the National Strategic Plan for eradicating dracunculiasis. 'This guiding document, the result of extensive consultation and coordination with partners, will accelerate efforts to certify Angola as a dracunculiasis-free country by 2030,' said Dr Katondi. 'Despite the inherent challenges, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) can be controlled, eliminated, and eradicated. This plan, in light of the global goal of eradicating drancuculosis by 2030, offers an opportunity for the government to step up its actions to eliminate dracunculiasis nationwide by 2030 and reduce the burden of this disease, which severely affects vulnerable populations and perpetuates the cycle of poverty,' added Dr. Katondi. The strategy centers on five key interventions, namely surveillance, interruption of transmission including wash, cross border and one health, communication and community involvement, governance and advocacy, and support for fieldwork. These initiatives underline Angola's commitment to eradicating NTDs and improving public health. In 2024, the WHO, in collaboration with Carter Center, supported Angola's efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis by treating 87 eligible water points in Namacunde and Cuanhama with Abate®, distributing 38,528 water filters to more than 6,389 families and achieving an investigation response rate of 77.5% to human and animal rumors within 24 hours. In addition, community-based surveillance and sensitisation efforts reached more than 43,683 community members. Guinea worm disease, caused by the parasite *Dracunculus medinensis*, is transmitted mainly through the consumption of contaminated water. Angola is one of five countries that have yet to eradicate this disease, which negatively affects human and animal health, reduces productivity, and increases vulnerability. Angola's commitment to eliminating NTDs aligns with its dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030. The successful implementation of the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for the Eradication of Dracunculiasis 2025-2030 is expected to produce significant health benefits and increase the well-being of the Angolan population. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
