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A story of renewed hope

Anas seating on a chair
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QAV IN THE COMMUNITY

Anas seating on a chair

A story of renewed hope .

Anas lived in Jigawa State, Nigeria. When he was younger, he was infected by lymphatic filariasis (LF) – commonly known as elephantiasis.

Anas lived in Jigawa State, Nigeria. When he was younger, he was infected by lymphatic filariasis (LF) – commonly known as elephantiasis.

Lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) transmitted by mosquitoes, impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing severe pain, severe disability and social stigma. It is estimated that over 120 million people are affected by lymphatic filariasis worldwide.

Anas was unfortunately among the many in his community who have consistently missed out on the LF MDA (Lymphatic Filariasis Mass Administration of Medicines) programmes over the years, making him vulnerable to infection. As he grew older, he started to develop bilateral lymphoedema, severe swelling, in his legs.

He began to experience severe pain, as well as difficulty walking and weeping wounds on his legs. But luckily, he was enrolled in CBM’s CiSKuLA programme, which takes a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackling the causes, symptoms and stigma of NTDs.

“As a result, his life was totally transformed – he learnt a trade, has a better understanding of washing and hygiene practices to prevent further infection, and he felt less ostracised in his community. He told his story in the uplifting film below; tragically he died this autumn, aged 19, and his story lives on as a beacon of hope for all those living with NTDs. .”

Find out more about Anas’ story, in his own words, here:

In 2024, QAV Ltd renewed their partnership with CBM, the Global Disability Inclusion Charity, through support of their Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme, which tackles the causes, symptoms and stigma of NTDs in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Categories
Community

Bringing hope to people living with NTDs

A mother in Nigeria washes the face of her son having accessed hygiene education on protecting her and her family from Neglected Tropical Diseases.
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QAV IN THE COMMUNITY

A mother in Nigeria washes the face of her son having accessed hygiene education on protecting her and her family from Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Bringing hope to people living with NTDs.

QAV Ltd renewed their partnership with CBM, the Global Disability Charity, through support of their Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme.

In 2024, QAV Ltd renewed their partnership with CBM, the Global Disability Charity, through support of their Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme.

NTDs – such as trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) – bring immense suffering to those affected. They thrive mainly in rural areas, conflict zones, and hard-to-reach regions that lack quality and affordable healthcare services, and where access to clean water and sanitation is very restricted.

Those with an NTD live with constant pain, and it can impact an individual’s ability to earn a living or attend school. The stigma and discrimination that they and their families face can be devastating.

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by an infection from a parasitic worm spread by mosquitoes, which damages the immune system and can lead to the swelling and enlargement of body parts (elephantiasis), causing pain, severe disability and social stigma. River Blindness is also caused by a parasitic worm and spread by blackflies. It leads to severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions and visual impairment, including permanent blindness.

Around 200,000 NTD deaths occur annually, and 1.7 billion people worldwide (21% of the world’s population) are affected by, or at risk of, one or more of these chronic and disabling diseases.

A man gives a child some tablets from a bottle as part of a Mass Drug Administration programme in Nigeria.

“Sometimes, I think of going out, but I do not because of the shame of being among other people” Woman from Nigeria with lymphatic filariasis.

CBM’s NTD programmes aims to tackle both the cause and the effect (physical, social and mental health) of NTDs on individuals and their families. They aim to tackle them in a range of different ways to deliver a more comprehensive solution:

  • Breaking the infectious cycle through mass drug administration, treating at-risk communities with preventative medication.
  • Helping those already affected by infectious diseases, through the provision of limb care, surgical interventions, eye care and mental health support.
  • Preventing NTDs through Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, taking into account the needs of people with disabilities to access WASH activities.
  • Delivering Community-based support, through initiatives to tackle the poverty, employment issues and discrimination that many suffer.

Last year, globally, CBM protected 2.56m people from Neglected Tropical Diseases.

CBM’s partnership with QAV Ltd supports our vital work in Nigeria, which accounts for about 25% of the burden of NTDs in Africa. By working together, we can deliver better outcomes for individuals and communities whose lives have been blighted by NTDs, lifting them out of the poverty-disability cycle and overcoming the stigma that so many face.

“Even the borehole near me I can’t fetch from there or even the well because the people won’t allow me” Adult with an NTD.

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