Submitted by Sabin Admin on
Statement from Kari Stoever, Managing Director, Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases
On behalf of the NTD community, the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases is excited that U.S. President Obama visited La General hospital during his recent trip to Accra, Ghana, and had the opportunity to see firsthand how health workers are treating women and children in the community with prenatal and after-birth care, and nutritional counseling.
In a speech before the Ghanian Parliament, Obama said, “We will fight neglected tropical disease. And we won't confront illnesses in isolation -- we will invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health of mothers and children.” The biggest contributors to the death of children and pregnant women are malaria and neglected tropical diseases. Combining NTD treatment with other disease interventions helps improve overall quality of life for those affected. We hope that President Obama’s request for $70 million for NTD eradication and control worldwide as a part of a global health initiative will be realized, so that millions of people around the world can live their lives free of these diseases.
