MENTOR has been working to reduce the harm and suffering from Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) since 2012. NTDs are mostly associated with inadequate water supplies, poor sanitation, and hygiene, and often found in the poorest areas in the world.
To effectively address the devastating effects of neglected tropical diseases in vulnerable settings we support three areas of work:
Mass Drug Administration
Supporting local governments to distribute preventive medicines to communities at highest risk of neglected tropical diseases.
Hygiene Promotion
Raising awareness about the importance of personal and environmental hygiene practices to prevent neglected tropical diseases.
Intensified Disease Management
Integrating the management of debilitating and disfiguring diseases with training and healthcare.
Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns are carried out with local health authorities, community leaders, and partner organisations. We support local governments to distribute preventive medications to communities at risk, addressing diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis.
These campaigns align with WHO 2030 Roadmap targets and aim to accelerate progress in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases through the widest geographical and therapeutic coverage.
Hygiene Promotion is supported by community-based activities that raise awareness about the importance of personal and environmental hygiene practices to prevent neglected tropical diseases. We contribute to lessening the transmission of neglected tropical diseases and improving community health through promoting behaviours like handwashing, proper sanitation practices and safe waste disposal.
Intensified disease management is the third component of MENTOR’s neglected tropical disease approach. Where possible, the management of debilitating and disfiguring diseases such as leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis is integrated into training and healthcare provision.
This ensures the effective management of cases, which focuses on early detection, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Together with our partners we have achieved significant progress controlling neglected tropical diseases across a range of settings and diseases, dedicated to strengthening local health systems as we work towards making a sustainable impact.
