Eliminating Kala-Azar: 6 African Countries Sign Agreement To Ramp Up Efforts

Relevance: GS II and III; IR; Science and Tech; Diseases in News; Places in News;

Why in the News?

Recently, in May 2025, six countries- Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to eliminate Kala-Azar.

• The signing took place during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, under the auspices of the African Union and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• This MoU formalizes joint commitments to ramp up investments, develop effective policies, and strengthen cross-border collaboration to achieve disease elimination targets set out in a regional framework launched in June 2024

What is Kala Azar?

• Kala-azar is a serious disease caused by a tiny parasite called Leishmania.
  • Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala Azar) - a word coined in the late nineteenth century in India, which means “black disease”, referring to the greyish or blackish discoloration of the skin during infection.
• In India Leishmania donovani is the only parasite causing this disease.
  • This parasite is spread to humans through the bite of infected female sandflies, which are very small insects.
  • Once inside, it multiplies and damages the organs (as shown in the image).

• This disease is a major health problem in parts of Africa, India, and other tropical regions, especially among the poorest populations.
  • Affects poor communities, especially children, and is linked to malnutrition and poor living conditions.
  • Therefore it is called as ‘Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)’

    

• Kala-azar is very dangerous if not treated—almost always fatal within two years.
• What is the major issue with Kala Azar?
  • After treatment, some people develop skin problems called Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL), where the parasite causes skin rashes or bumps.
• These people can still spread the parasite to sandflies, which can then infect others.
• Treatment:
  • The first-line treatment for kala azar in India is injectable liposomal amphotericin B (10 mg/kg body weight).
  • Miltefosine, an oral drug, particularly for Post-Kala Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is used.

What is the situation in India? India accounts for 18% - a significant portion of the global burden of Kala-azar. Kala-azar cases in India have plummeted, with a 98.7% decline from 44,533 in 2007 to 834 in 2022. Kala-azar is primarily found in 54 districts across four states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. While there are 633 blocks in these states considered endemic, the majority have achieved elimination status, with only one block (Littipara, Jharkhand) remaining in the endemic category. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) mandates monthly reporting of Kala Azar cases at regional and block level. India aims for elimination by maintaining less than one case per 10,000 population at the sub-district level, as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

• • Established the linkages for the disease control efforts to higher-level political bodies to elevate NTDs on national and regional agendas.

• Public Awareness: Countries would conduct public health campaigns and community sensitization to enhance understanding of NTDs and increase acceptance of interventions, especially among mobile and nomadic populations.

 

Please note that: The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is an international, non-profit research and development organization founded in 2003. DNDi was established through a partnership of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR), and five leading public research institutions. WHO provides technical guidance, sets global health standards, and advocates for political commitment to neglected diseases. DNDi advocates for policies that prioritize patient needs over profits. Both organizations influence national and international policies to support NTD elimination.

 

Conclusion: By pledging to eliminate kala-azar together, these countries are rejecting the idea that borders should limit the fight against disease.

• This decision is more than a policy move; it’s a statement that Africa’s future will be shaped by collaboration, innovation, and determination.

PYQ Relevance: Q. Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic. (UPSC CSE 2020)

 

 

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