Zimbabwe NTDs Master Plan (2023-2027)- EN

Zimbabwe has a huge burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). These NTDs are diseases of the socio-economically disadvantaged and neglected people living in abject poverty. The diseases include schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths, blinding trachoma, Human African Trypanosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, snake bites, anthrax, food trematodes, taeniasis, cysticercosis, scabies and rabies.

The Government of Zimbabwe recognizes the negative impact of NTDs on the quality of life of the people of the country. In order to mitigate against these negative effects, the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Health and Child Care and its stakeholders have developed a National Master Plan for the elimination of NTDs for the period 2023 - 2027 to guide responses. 

The development of this Master plan for the elimination of NTDs has been in response to the requirements of projected plans and guidelines that will be used for the effective control of NTDs until they are eliminated and some eradicated in Zimbabwe. The development of this tool involved inputs from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the National Institute of Health Research, Department of Pharmacy Services, the Veterinary Department and other government departments and expert advice from the World Health Organization, ESPEN, Sightsavers, World Vision and Higherlife Foundation. This tool will be used in conjunction with the NTD control policy in prevention and control of NTDs by all stakeholders throughout the country, thereby contributing to an effective national NTD control program. The document will be reviewed and revised as and when necessary to align it with any new developments.