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From the field / Fighting disease /

World NTD Day: our highlights from around the world

February 2022
The Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda is lit up in purple light for World NTD Day.

On 30 January 2022, Sightsavers staff worldwide celebrated World NTD Day to recognise progress in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and call on the global community to eliminate them.

To mark the event, Sightsavers country offices organised celebrations, and health workers took to the field to provide pop-up clinics. Monuments and buildings around the world were also illuminated in orange and purple, including the Kigali convention centre in Rwanda.

Thousands of people showed their support online, with more than 300 posts on Sightsavers’ social media wall. This online platform enabled global supporters, governments, donors and partners to share their messages of commitment and encouragement, using the #BeatNTDs and #PlayYourPart hashtags.

The day also marked the launch of the 100% Committed campaign, which calls on governments and other organisations to make fresh commitments to fight NTDs by signing the Kigali declaration.

Here you can see how Sightsavers marked this year’s event around the globe.

Our social media wall

Sightsavers’ social media wall included videos, photos and supportive messages about beating NTDs. Watch the video above for highlights.

View the wall
A group of men and women performing a traditional dance, accompanied by drummers.

Ghana

A group of men and women performing a traditional dance, accompanied by drummers.

In the Ghanaian capital, Accra, Sightsavers staff and health officials came together for a lively and colourful celebration.

The event involved speeches, dancing, and dramatic performances from the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts. Medical students also joined the festivities by waving placards to show their support for eliminating neglected tropical diseases.

A large group of staff and health workers gather for a group photograph outside.

Uganda

What better way to celebrate than by helping people affected by NTDs? This was the approach taken by health workers in Uganda, who spent the day finding and treating several people with lymphatic filariasis.

One of the patients treated at Adiel Health Centre was Oloya Vincent. Oloya said: “We can’t rest yet! We’re still committed to eliminating these terrible diseases in our lifetime.”

Elsewhere in Uganda, surgeons received refresher training to help them perform surgery for advanced trachoma.

At night, three people stand together in front of Nigeria's Unity fountain, which is lit up in purple.

Nigeria

At night, three people stand together in front of Nigeria's Unity fountain, which is lit up in purple.

Celebrations in Abuja involved lighting up the Unity Fountain, an event attended by Sightsavers staff, including Esther Bature, Adebiyi Adeniran and Eno Udongo.

At a ministerial press conference, politicians spoke about the importance of tackling NTDs and discussed plans to improve water, sanitation and hygiene.

Many smaller events took place in local districts. In Sokoto state, the Sightsavers team and partners held meetings to encourage nurses and other health workers to become ambassadors and spread the message about eliminating NTDs. Watch a short video with highlights

A group of performers with traditional instruments and clothing parade outside.

Côte d’Ivoire

Health workers marked the day by visiting communities in the city of Korhogo, where they were able to identify people who needed treatment for leprosy, scabies and lymphatic filariasis. This case-finding exercise was accompanied by NTD Scientific Days at Korhogo University, involving more than 50 scientific presentations about various diseases.

Celebrations culminated in an event at the Womiegnon Cultural Centre to raise awareness of leprosy and other NTDs. The event included speeches by government officials, along with prayers and traditional performances.

Sightsavers' Expo stand, featuring information boards, soft lighting and comfy wooden furniture.

Dubai

Sightsavers' Expo stand, featuring information boards, soft lighting and comfy wooden furniture.

Sightsavers unveiled a stand at Dubai Expo to showcase innovative work to beat NTDs. The display, part of the exhibition’s Global Best Practice programme, shows how Sightsavers and its partners are using mobile technology to combat diseases such as trachoma and river blindness.

Apps such as the TT Tracker help surgeons to collect and analyse information about trachoma operations so patients get the aftercare they need. (Image © Expo 2020 Dubai)

Other events around the world

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A group of people pose for a photograph with a placard showing support for beating NTDs.
In Benin, Dr Amadou (fourth from left), a Sightsavers-trained surgeon, took part in a ‘march to Kigali’.
A large group of people sit in a lecture theatre wearing medical masks.
In Mali, the day was marked by speeches, a prize-giving ceremony and a theatrical performance.
Five members of Sightsavers staff pose for a photograph with placards showing their commitment to beating NTDs.
In Mozambique, Sightsavers staff showed their commitment to beating NTDs.

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