Britain increases support to battle against neglected tropical diseases
Xinhua, April 16, 2017 Adjust font size:
The British government announced Sunday it is doubling its support in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases, such as trachoma, Guinea worm and river blindness.
It will bring to 561 million U.S. dollars the amount of British aid to programs aimed at tackling the diseases between 2017 and 2022.
The government's International Development Secretary Priti Patel said the measure will protect over 200 million people from the pain and disfigurement caused by treatable tropical diseases.
Patel's Department for International Development said Britain is already leading the way in fighting the diseases, and will more than double its support over the next five years.
The doubling in British funding announced Sunday cements Britain's commitment ahead of a WHO conference in Geneva next week where the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, governments, NGOs, multilateral organisations and the private sector will come together in an effort to relegate Neglected Tropical Diseases to the history books. Endit