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Background Access to affordable, quality healthcare is the key element of universal health coverage (UHC). This study examines the effectiveness of the neglected tropical disease (NTD) mass drug administration (MDA) campaign approach as a means to deliver UHC, using the example of the Liberia national programme. Methods We first mapped the location of 3195 communities from the 2019 national MDA treatment data reporting record of Liberia. The association between coverage for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis treatment achieved in these communities was then explored using a binomial geo-additive model. This model employed three key determinants for community 'remoteness': population density and the modelled travel time of communities to their supporting health facility and to their nearest major settlement. Results Maps produced highlight a small number of clusters of low treatment coverage in Liberia. Statistical analysis suggests there is a complex relationship between treatment coverage and geographic location. Conclusions We accept the MDA campaign approach is a valid mechanism to reach geographically marginal communities and, as such, has the potential to deliver UHC. We recognise there are specific limitations requiring further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health co-morbidity and the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has been highlighted as a major component of the ill health. The impact of mental illness is considered to be significantly underestimated in the calculations of the overall Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). This commentary discusses the DALY burden of anxiety, depression and associated stigma of NTDs. The economic losses incurred as a result of mental health conditions is assessed, and the impact on caregivers and families. It recommends that mental health care is incorporated into NTDs programme planning and implementation. Priority research is the estimation of the NTD burden of depressive and anxiety disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions of NTDs and an evaluation of the economic costs of mental illness derived from NTDs causation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podoconiosis is an inflammatory disease caused by prolonged contact with irritant minerals in soil. Major symptoms include swelling of the lower limb (lymphoedema) and acute pain. The disease has major social and economic consequences through stigma and loss of productivity. In the last five years there has been good progress in podoconiosis research and control. Addressing poverty at household level and infrastructure development such as roads, water and urbanization can all help to reduce podoconiosis incidence. Specific control methods include the use of footwear, regular foot hygiene and floor coverings. Secondary and tertiary prevention are based on the management of the lymphoedema-related morbidity and include foot hygiene, foot care, wound care, compression, exercises, elevation of the legs and treatment of acute infections. Certain endemic countries are taking the initiative to include podoconiosis in their national plans for the control of neglected tropical diseases and to scale up interventions against the disease. Advocacy is needed for provision of shoes as a health intervention. We suggest case definitions and elimination targets as a starting point for elimination of the disease. La podoconiose est une maladie inflammatoire provoquee par un contact prolonge avec des mineraux irritants presents dans le sol. Les principaux symptomes incluent un gonflement des membres inferieurs (lymphcedeme) et une douleur aigue. Cette maladie a d'importantes consequences sociales et economiques, car elle entraine stigmatisation et perte de productivite. Ces cinq dernieres annees ont ete marquees par des progres satisfaisants en matiere de recherche sur la podoconiose et de controle de cette maladie. Combattre la pauvrete au niveau des foyers et developper des infrastructures routieres, d'approvisionnement en eau et urbaines peut contribuer a reduire son incidence. Les methodes de lutte contre la podoconiose incluent le port de chaussures, une bonne hygiene des pieds et des revetements de sol. La prevention secondaire et la prevention tertiaire reposent sur la gestion de la morbidite liee aux lymphoedemes et passent par l'hygiene des pieds, les soins des pieds, les soins des plaies, la compression, des exercices, l'elevation des jambes et le traitement des infections aigues. Certains pays ou la podoconiose est endemique ont pris l'initiative de l'inclure dans leur plan national pour la lutte contre les maladies tropicales negligees et de multiplier les interventions contre cette maladie. Des actions de sensibilisation sont necessaires en vue de la distribution de chaussures comme mesure sanitaire. Nous recommandons de preciser les definitions de cas et les objectifs d'elimination pour servir de point de depart a l'eradication de cette maladie. La podoconiosis es una enfermedad inflamatoria causada por un contacto prolongado con sustancias minerales irritantes del suelo. Los sintomas principales incluyen la hinchazon de las extremidades inferiores (linfedema) y un dolor agudo. Dicha enfermedad comporta graves consecuencias tanto en el entorno social como economico, ya que provoca estigmas y perdida de productividad. En los ultimos cinco anos ha habido progresos satisfactorios en ia investigacion y el control de la podoconlosis. El tratamiento de la pobreza a nivel domestico y el desarrollo de infraestructuras como carreteras, riegos y en urbanizacion pueden ayudara reducir los casos de podoconiosis. Entre los metodos de control especifico se encuentran el uso de calzado, una buena higiene de los pies y recubrimientos para el suelo. La prevencion secundaria y terciaria se basa en la gestion de la morbilidad relacionada con el linfedema, esto incluye una buena higiene de los pies y el cuidado de los mismos, la cura de las lesiones, ejercicios de compresion, elevar las piernas y tratar las infecciones agudas. Algunos paises endemicos han tomado la iniciativa de incluir la podoconiosis en sus planes nacionales de control sobre enfermedades tropicales desatendidas y aumentar el numero de intervenciones para afrontar dicha enfermedad. Se necesita ayuda para suministrar calzado en clave de intervencion sanitaria. Nuestra sugerencia para abolir la enfermedad es empezar por definir los casos y eliminar los obstaculos., Introduction In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) published targets for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases or reductions in their impact to levels at which they are no longer [...]