The massive magnitude of resources needed to contain SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks requires NTD programs to adapt the current uses of health personnel and public health professionals. Medical personnel are responding to the pandemic; as a result, NTD programs are shifting to adjust to economic crises and health system constraints. Thus, there is reduced capacity to restart planning key interventions and curative services.

Adjustments Needed to Match Available Resources

Successfully addressing PC-NDTs (which rely on preventive chemotherapy treatments) continues to rely on community drug distributors. Given contemporary modern health regulations, there may be a lower population of volunteers willing to support MDA campaigns. Distribution chains need to reevaluate human capacity needs to determine the appropriate approach to restart activities. 

Reduction of Community Drug Distributors

In order to restart public health interventions that require community involvement, preventive measures, which include social distancing, safe hygiene practice and face masks, are needed. Compliance of Covid-19 health regulations will modify NTD program delivery. For example, health personnel or volunteers may need to go directly to patients’ homes rather than setting up fixed-point distribution sites. When this option is not available, fixed-point distribution will need to be adapted to limit the number of people gathering in one place. Additionally, new protocols will need to be put in place to ensure patients can receive services such as morbidity management or surgical activities. 

Covid-19 Regulatory Compliance

There are numerous adjustments that must be made to current NTD campaigns in order to remain effective and safe. 
- Adjustments to match availability of resources
- Reduction of community drug distributors
- Covid-19 regulatory compliance

Tulane University

The current public health crisis has deployed resources to prevent further infection and to treat those that are infected. This has severely restricted available supplies and personnel thus disrupting other activities of the health sector, such as NTD elimination programs. Around the globe, NTD control programs have been postponed, pushing back mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns. Consequently, disease interventions that involve preventative chemotherapy are temporarily absent, causing certain NTDs to remain untreated.

Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on NTD Control & Prevention

Chaumont, C., Kamara, K., Baring, E., Palacio, K., Power, A., & Lancaster, W. (2020). The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi:e0008680

The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity?

- WHO pushed back implementation of program to control NTDs
- Disruption of mass treatment programs
- Proper allocation of minimal resources


Impact of Disrupting NTD Programs

PC-NTDs risk being permanently deprioritized due to the current unavailability of needed resources. Although NTDs disproportionately affect high risk areas, primarily indigenous populations, their low mortality rate has resulted in reduced support from global health services. The redistribution of resources from NTD elimination programs to Covid-19 support has stalled NTD programming and stretched volunteers and health professionals who have been directed to Covid-19 related services. Long-term funding for NTDs may be impacted if a resurgence of infection pushes elimination goals farther into the future. Additionally, the cost of public health interventions, such as MDA programs that prevent disease resurgence, may increase as a result of the incorporation of safety measures when administering treatments. 


Funding & Political Landscape for NTDs

Adaptation of NTD Delivery Programs

The socioeconomic and biological effects of Covid-19 have been historical and the overall impact of the virus has yet to be determined. However, it is without question that certain demographic groups are more vulnerable than others, especially those with preexisting medical conditions. Chagas Disease (CD) is a disorder caused by a parasite, Trypanosoma Cruzi, which affects multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular, digestive and central nervous systems. In fact, chronic CD primarily affects Latin American countries which have been overwhelmed by the pandemic; generally, individuals afflicted with CD suffer from poor healthcare, increasing the likelihood that CD goes undiagnosed and progresses to the chronic stage of infection. Generally, chronic Chagas Disease is characterized by severe cardiac disease resulting in heart attacks. Individuals with chronic CD are more susceptible to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and have largely been excluded from Covid-19 public health campaigns. 

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