Lisa Nandy, UK Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development, visits neglected tropical disease projects in Zambia

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.

Stuart Halford of Uniting to Combat NTDs with Lisa Nandy MP, Uniting to Combat NTDs Board Member Dr Francisca Mutapi, Glenda Mulenga, Country Director for Zambia at Sightsavers, and Kaluba Lombe, Inclusive Eye Health Manager at Sightsavers

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.

Lisa Nandy greets some of the staff at the Shikoswe Health Centre.

Lisa Nandy MP and her team being entertained by traditional dancers

Dr Francisca Mutapi and Lisa Nandy enjoy some dancing

Lisa Nandy MP being given a tour of the Shikoswe Health Centre.

Lisa Nandy MP talks to Patience, a mother, at Shikoswe Health Centre

Lisa Nandy highfives a child at the Shikoswe Health Centre

Lisa Nandy MP sits with children Mama, Masiha, Rachel and Rajab at the Shikoswe Health District Hospital

Lisa Nandy MP visits one of the beneficiaries of the project.

Lisa Nandy MP with a group in Lusaka, Zambia.

We look forward to continuing to work with the UK on the importance of tackling NTDs going forwards.