schistosomiasis disease burden in zambian children: The time for affirmative action is now

Abstract

In recent times the developed Western World has coined an embracing and diplomatic terminology, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), to describe ancient-old human scourges of Schistosomiasis, Ascariasis, Filariasis, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Trypanosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, Trachoma, Chagas' disease and the like that continue to be a menace in the tropics especially Sub-SaharanAfrica1- 3. These NTDs comprise a total of 13 major disabling conditions that are among the most common chronic infections now estimated to afflict a staggering 2.7 billion people in the developing tropical and sub tropical countries. The term, NTDs, is 'embracing' and 'diplomatic' as it tactfully avoids the name Diseases of Poverty (DoP) or, better, Poverty Defining Diseases (PDDs). The lead author of this editorial feels the latter are more accurate terminologies for NTDs and better describe these diseases.