India has achieved the target for the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar), a neglected tropical disease (NTD), in 82 percent sub-districts, according to the fourth World Health Organization (WHO) report on NTDs released on 19 April 2017.
Another significant achievement by India was the elimination of yaws, a chronic skin disease that mostly affects poor children, in 2015; WHO recognised India as the first member state to “achieve this important milestone”.
India has also progressed in treating lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), and has stopped mass drug administration in 72 endemic districts after passing evaluations.
NTDs are some of the oldest and most painful diseases, afflicting the world’s poorest communities. It is estimated that one in six people in the world suffers from NTDs – including more than half a billion children.