Blog Discusses NTDs’ Impact On G20 Goals

World leaders at the 2013 G20 summit debated the Syrian civil war and chemical attacks in the country, but did not discuss “another crisis that is happening in Syria and around the developing world at large: an epidemic of cutaneous leishmaniasis and other [neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)],” the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases’ “End The Neglect” blog reports. In Syria, “the conflict and subsequent break down of public health has led to a resurgence of the disease,” the blog reports, adding, “While reports cannot be verified, it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 new cases of leishmaniasis across the country and in the growing refugee camps outside Syria.” The blog writes that NTDs “pose a significant threat to the goals of the G20 to promote food security, financial inclusion, and human resource development.” Sabine Vaccine Institute CEO Michael Marine tells the blog, “The G20’s efforts to improve nutrition and help build a skilled workforce will fall short if we do not the tackle other barriers that prevent people from working” (Gunderson, 9/13).

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