Kenya is endemic to 19 of the 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Some of the NTDs in Kenya include: Lymphatic filariasis, Blinding trachoma, Human African Trypanosomiasis, and Onchocerciasis.
NTDs are often caused by poor living conditions, socioeconomic deprivation, and lack of access to healthcare, diagnostics, and treatment. They can affect economic activities like small-scale farming, running small businesses, and pastoralism. They can also affect social and cultural factors like school absenteeism, low literacy, and domestic conflict.
Kenya’s new master plan aims to eliminate and control these NTDs by 2026. The Kenya National Master Plan for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 2023-2027 is a multi-sectoral collaborative effort to help free the country from NTDs.
