A brand new report launched by World Well being Group (WHO) exhibits that we’re making progress in direction of eliminating lymphatic filariasis – a painful and debilitating uncared for tropical illness.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) could cause extreme swelling to physique components, intermittent fevers and secondary infections. Sufferers with the illness also can develop everlasting disabilities. This will depart them unable to work and supply for his or her households which might expose them to poverty and stigma.

WHO’s report exhibits that in 2022 the variety of individuals in danger from LF had lowered by 15% from the earlier yr (falling from 342 million in 2021 to 288 million in 2022).

Out of 72 international locations that had been initially recorded as endemic for the illness, 18 have thus far managed to get rid of it as a public well being downside. That is the results of a concerted international effort that has concerned companions at many alternative ranges – from the pharmaceutical companies Merck and Co., Inc (often known as Merck Sharpe and Dohme, MSD, exterior of the USA and Canada) and GlaxoSmithKline, who’ve donated thousands and thousands of doses of treatment to fight LF, proper by way of to the well being staff who’ve been distributing these medicine inside their native communities.

I’m proud that Sightsavers has performed a key function in tackling LF. We’re dedicated to being a part of the worldwide community that may obtain the elimination of the illness as a public well being downside by 2030.

Along with our companions and neighborhood volunteers, we’ve supported governments to roll out drug therapy campaigns throughout a number of African international locations. By instructing self-care strategies, we’ve additionally helped to forestall the painful signs of the illness from creating for tens of 1000’s of individuals. The 2 statistics under present the work that we’ve supported.