by Alvar J, den Boer M, Argaw Dagne D. The Lancet Global Health 2021; 9(12) e1763-e1769. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00392-2
Summary: East Africa is the region most affected by visceral leishmaniasis globally, with an annual incidence that is only slightly decreasing. Unlike South-East Asia, East Africa does not have a regional approach to eliminating visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem. The goal of the WHO 2021-30 neglected tropical diseases road map is to reduce mortality caused by the disease to less than 1%. To achieve this in East Africa, it will be necessary to roll out diagnosis and treatment at the primary health-care level and implement measures to reduce human-vector contact. The authors propose a strategic framework for a coordinated regional approach for the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem in East Africa.
