Community-centered action key to fighting neglected tropical diseases

 Men in a laboratory. [Getty Images]

In the villages of Western Kenya, health breakthroughs have slowly but steadily begun making headlines. Parents once watched their children miss school because of relentless intestinal worms. The adults missed days of work due to discomfort brought about by these Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly Bilharzia and Intestinal Worms.

After listening to their local community health promoters (CHPs), healthcare workers, attending village barazas, and simplified radio messages, their lives have changed for the better. Today, most children are back in school, the villages are open defecation-free, and generally, the community is healthier. This is a true manifestation of the revolution of community engagement in the fight against NTDs.