A girl in Lam Dong province contracting lymphatic filariasis (Photo: baolamdong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has got rid of lymphatic filariasis (LF)thanks to the Government’s drastic efforts and international support, stressed USRTI International - an independent and non-profit institute that providesresearch, development and technical services to government and commercialclients worldwide.
“Vietnam joins a small number of countries in achieving validation of LFelimination”, the RTI said. Vietnam’s success is significant to otherdeveloping countries, which are struggling with elephantiasis, an infectiontransmitted to humans through mosquitoes that damages the body’s lymphaticsystem.
The commitments of the Vietnamese Government, the World Health Organisationsand the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to ending this tropicaldisease, together with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd’s donations ofmedications, have been paid off.
The institute also spoke highly of the National Institute of Malariology,Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE)’s role, describing its coordination as akey factor in wiping out the disease.
A national programme to eliminate the LF was launched by the Ministry ofHealth’s NIMPE in 2001. Large-scale treatment campaign and survey were carriedout in six LF-endemic provinces during 2003-2008 to block its transmission.USAID has supported Vietnam’s effort since 2011.
Molly Brady, senior manager on RTI’s EVISON project funded by the USAID aimingat the control and elimination of seven neglected tropical diseases (NTDs),stressed that the Vietnamese Government deserves congratulations for achievingthis ambitious medical goal.
The country’s success is counted on collaboration of various sides, includingthe WHO, USAID and many other partners, she added.-VNA
VNA
