Chad, the World Health Organisation and other partners renewed their commitment to eradicating Guinea-worm disease, also known as Dracunculiasis, during a high-level meeting in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital.

Chadian Prime Minister, Allah-Maye Halina, and WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus attended the meeting.

“This commitment must ensure access to clean drinking water for all communities, especially those in endemic areas, and mobilise resources to fight the disease,’’ Mr Halina said.

Guinea worm cases have dropped from an estimated 3.5 million in the 1980s to just 14 in 2023, nine of which are from Chad, according to Tedros.

He said only four human cases had been reported globally this year, two in Chad and two in South Sudan, but more effort needed to eliminate the disease.

Mr Ghebreyesus said that eradicating Guinea worms required a multi-sectoral approach, cross-border collaboration, and the simultaneous tackling of multiple diseases.

He added that the goal was not just to eradicate one disease but to strengthen health systems that could meet the broader needs of affected populations.

The meeting concluded with participants signing a declaration to bolster efforts against the disease.

Guinea-worm disease is caused by the parasitic worm Dracunculus medinensis, which infects humans through water contaminated by fleas.

(Xinhua/NAN)