WHO calls for local investment in neglected disease

The World Health Organisation has urged countries affected by neglected tropical diseases to scale up their investment, even by a small amount, to tackle the scourge.

In a report published on 19 February, the WHO says that by investing as little as 0.1 per cent of their domestic expenditure on health in fighting neglected diseases low- and middle-income countries could make a big difference.

“Increased investments by national governments can alleviate human misery, distribute economic gains more evenly and free masses of people long trapped in poverty,” said WHO director-general Margaret Chan in a statement.