Gaborone, 01 June 2021 - Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are ancient diseases of poverty that impose a devastating human, the social and economic burden on the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. NTDs have come into focus based on the realization that beyond their direct negative impact on health, they contribute significantly to poverty and stigma that leave people unable to work, go to school, or participate in family and community life.

Several global and regional initiatives have been put in place to highlight the impact of NTDs as well as the relevant interventions towards eliminating them as a public health problem.  Among them is the stakeholder engagement, coordination and collaboration both local and international. Strong collaboration between all these NTD stakeholders should be at the core of the NTDs implementation.  

Since the launch of A road map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030 as well as the latest 2020 regional NTDs road map and strategic plan, where the importance of the involvement of stakeholders was emphasized, concerted efforts of different stakeholders such as governmental institutions, non-governmental, faith-based organizations and the community at large, have taken momentum. Several stakeholders are playing critical roles in advocacy, direct delivery of interventions, monitoring, research, and funding.

The NTDs programme in Botswana with financial contribution from Japan has therefore identified stakeholders from different quarters in the country to be part of the NTDs elimination efforts. The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office had organized a stakeholder's engagement meeting on the 1st of June 2021 in Gaborone to raise stakeholder awareness and advocate for partnerships and increased visibility on efforts to eliminate NTDs. Representatives of the University of Botswana, civil society organizations as well as the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) have participated in the discussions.

The stakeholder engagement meeting focused on enhancing stakeholder collaboration in all interventions, like mass drug administration, monitoring, research and consistency of messaging for advocacy.

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Health Officer Mr Davies Sedisa Ntebela from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, indicated that the event provides a networking platform for actors across various sectors to share ideas on “how we can come together as a nation and work towards the common goal of improving the lives and health of those affected by these debilitating diseases”.

The discussions further emphasized the radical change to integrate NTDs control into national health systems, with proposed stakeholders concrete actions. Strengthening the capacity of national health systems will ensure delivery of interventions through the existing infrastructure, improve the sustainability and efficiency of interventions ensuring that patients have equitable access to all aspects of treatment, care and support. Close coordination and multi-sectoral action within and beyond health, including vector control, water and sanitation, animal and environmental health and education, are very critical.

In closing, the Head of Communicable Diseases cluster at the Country Office, Dr Tebogo Madidimalo assured the WHO’s commitment to supporting Botswana in the fight against NTDs by continuing to deliver materials and technical support for the needs of this country. The participants were urged to cultivate a passion to be counted among the foot soldiers of NTDs elimination in Botswana. "The Ministry of Health and Wellness cannot be a lone warrior. We need a dedicated army to defeat NTDs in Botswana and eventually in the whole world" said Dr Madidimalo.