Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) were pleased to work with the Sightsavers team in Zambia to show UK MP Lisa Nandy, Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development, the impact of funded NTD projects in the country in late November for a parliamentary visit.
From L-R: Stuart Halford, Uniting to Combat NTDs; Lisa Nandy, UK Shadow Cabinet Minister for ID; Dr Francisca Mutapi, Uniting Board Member: Glenda Mulenga, Country Director for Zambia, Sightsavers; Kaluba Lombe, Inclusive Eye Health Manager, Sightsavers
13 million people, out of a population of around 20 million, still require treatment for at least one NTD in Zambia.
The NTDs amenable to preventative chemotherapy that are currently endemic in Zambia include trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminths. These diseases can all be prevented via donated treatments, and we’ve seen amazing progress being made throughout the country.
As part of the trip, Lisa Nandy MP got to witness some of this progress, meeting staff at the Shikoswe Health Centre and the Zambart project in the Kafue District, Lusaka Province.
Zambart, a research organisation, grew out of a collaboration between the University of Zambia’s School of Medicine and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Zambart works on areas of public health importance such as schistosomiasis, and water and sanitation.
Take a look at some of the photos from the trip below.
We look forward to continuing to work with the UK on the importance of tackling NTDs going forwards.