Detection and treatment
Simultaneous diagnosis of five skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs)
- Ghana Country
- 3.416.717 € Investment
- 2017-2022 Length
The Challenge
We have joined forces with American Leprosy Missions (ALM), Raoul Follereau Foundation (FRF) and Biomeme.
This research project seeks to develop a single PCR test that can diagnose five skin NTDs: Buruli ulcer, leprosy, mycetoma, leishmaniasis and yaws.
The solution
The purpose of this research project is to determine if Biomeme’s qPCR molecular diagnostic tool can effectively detect the pathogenic nucleic acids of five skin-related neglected tropical diseases in clinical and field settings.
Impact
An exceptional opportunity to collect scientific evidence on a potential improvement in the integrated diagnosis of five skin-related neglected tropical diseases, this research project is also a chance to improve the health of people living with these skin NTDs.
If successful and scientifically endorsed by the WHO, it could represent a major breakthrough in the fight against skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs), contributing to the targets that the WHO has set in its new roadmap 2021-2030 to control, eliminate or eradicate these diseases.
Related projects
Learn about other projects where we fight Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Ghana is endemic for several NTDs and about half of the population lives in rural, impoverished and isolated areas that are conducive to their proliferation.
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In 2021, 8 new cases of leprosy were detected in the municipality and in 2022 5 have been detected so far.
Improving the health of communities in Upper Denkyira
the Upper Denkyira East and Upper Denkyira West districts in Ghana are endemic of a number of NTDs, namely Buruli ulcer, yaws and leprosy.
A comprehensive approach aimed at reducing skin NTDs in three districts in Ghana
This holistic approach will enable us to improve access and coverage for 6,000 people in three districts of Ghana by improving health care and extending it at community and psychosocial level.
