Togo is the first country in the world to eliminate four neglected tropical diseases. The World Health Organization presented the west African country with an outstanding achievement award in late August 2022 for eliminating Guinea worm, lymphatic filariasis, sleeping sickness and trachoma in just 11 years. "This achievement is an example for the rest of Africa and shows what is possible when health is made a priority," said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa. "Health is a priority that we have placed at the heart of our development policies," said Faure Gnassingbé, Togo's president. "I hope that leaders across Africa are inspired by the incredible actions taken by Togo to transform the health of its citizens," said Thoko Elphick-Pooley, director of the global partnership Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases.
More: