Six countries in East Africa- Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to eliminate Kala-azar at an event organized by the African Union and the World Health Organization (WHO) on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Kala-Azar elimination is part of WHO’s broader campaign against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Key Highlights of MoU
- The countries will ramp up investment and formulate strategies to eliminate Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis).
- Builds on the June 2024 regional framework developed to eliminate the disease.
- The MoU outlines targets and implementation mechanisms to eliminate Kala-azar within a fixed timeframe.
- Additional countries- Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania—joined the initiative to enhance cross-border coordination for eliminating other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Global & Regional Status of NTDs (as of May 2025)
- 56 countries have eliminated at least one NTD.
- Togo eliminated four NTDs.
- Benin, Ghana, and India each eliminated three NTDs.
- Recent NTD eliminations reported in Mauritania, Chad, Guinea, and Niger (2024–25).
Significance of MoU
Public Health
- Strengthens regional cooperation in eradicating one of the deadliest tropical diseases.
- Targets the disease in vulnerable East African populations, particularly children.
Global Health Governance
- Aligns with WHO’s NTD Roadmap (2021–2030) for sustainable health solutions.
- Showcases progress in international partnerships for disease control.
What is Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)?
| Aspect | Details |
| Causative agent | Leishmania donovani (protozoan parasite) |
| Type | Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) |
| Transmission | Bite of infected female sandfly (Phlebotomus argentipes in India) |
| Geographical Impact | >70% of global cases in Eastern Africa; major burden on children under 15 |
| Symptoms | Fever, severe weight loss, swollen spleen/liver, anaemia; fatal if untreated within two years |
| Risk factors | Malnutrition, poor housing, weak immunity, HIV co-infection, poverty |
| Diagnosis | Clinical + serological tests (e.g., rK39 kit) |
| Treatment | Anti-parasitic drugs like amphotericin B, miltefosine, sodium stibogluconate |
India’s Progress on Kala-azar Elimination
| Metric | Status |
| 2023 cases | 595 cases, 4 deaths |
| 2024 (so far) | 339 cases, 1 death |
| Elimination target | <1 case per 10,000 population for 3 consecutive years |
| Leading state | Bihar (>70% cases) |
| Other states | Jharkhand, West Bengal, Eastern Uttar Pradesh |
| Control programme | National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), launched in 2003–04 |
India is expected to qualify for WHO Kala-azar elimination certification soon if it sustains low case counts for another year.
India’s Global Role
- India’s progress can act as a model for African nations tackling the disease.
- Reflects India’s commitment to global public health leadership in NTD elimination.