Over a billion people worldwide are affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These diseases of poverty affect those who have the least. Poverty, contaminated water, poor nutrition, and lack of medical care create the conditions for diseases like leprosy, elephantiasis, or yaws. Many of these diseases are therefore among the most common health problems in the project regions of FAIRMED and shape the daily lives of the people we work with. And this is despite the fact that many NTDs could be prevented or treated with simple and effective measures.
The consequences are devastating: Children cannot develop healthily, adults lose their jobs, entire families and villages fall deeper into poverty. Many affected people also suffer from exclusion, stigmatization, and discrimination. For over 60 years, FAIRMED has been committed to breaking this vicious cycle of poverty and disease. and providing local people with the access to medical care and the opportunity for a healthy and self-determined life.
FAIRMED helps people affected by NTDs gain access to healthcare by, among other things, training local healthcare professionals,... FAIRMED helps people affected by NTDs gain access to healthcare by, among other things, training local healthcare professionals,... …by supplying healthcare facilities with the necessary medications,… …by supplying healthcare facilities with the necessary medications,… …through mass treatment campaigns carried out at the request of the respective governments,… …through mass treatment campaigns carried out at the request of the respective governments,… …by providing training and continuing education to volunteer health workers… …by providing training and continuing education to volunteer health workers… …and by supporting people who, due to their illnesses, live with disabilities, stigmatization, or social exclusion. …and by supporting people who, due to their illnesses, live with disabilities, stigmatization, or social exclusion. In addition, we implement preventive measures such as disease surveillance, contact tracing, active case finding, and awareness-raising campaigns. In addition, we implement preventive measures such as disease surveillance, contact tracing, active case finding, and awareness-raising campaigns. By involving the local population in information campaigns, we educate them about the diseases and foster acceptance of prevention and treatment measures. By involving the local population in information campaigns, we educate them about the diseases and foster acceptance of prevention and treatment measures.
This is how FAIRMED works
To effectively combat neglected tropical diseases, FAIRMED pursues an integrated, holistic approach. We combine medical care with prevention and simultaneously improve the living conditions of the people.
This way, we not only fight the diseases themselves but also the causes of their spread. This helps to permanently break infection chains, strengthen health systems, and protect people from neglected tropical diseases in the long run.
Integrated approach
Access to health
A key pillar of our integrated approach is strengthening healthcare. To this end, we train local healthcare professionals and health aides, equip health facilities with the necessary materials, and support mass treatments (Mass Drug Administration, MDA) conducted at the request of the respective governments.
At the same time, we support people who live with disabilities, stigmatization, or social exclusion due to a neglected tropical disease. This way, we not only improve access to medical care but also strengthen the social participation and quality of life of those affected.
Prevention
Another important pillar of our integrated approach is prevention. This includes monitoring disease cases, tracing contacts, actively looking for affected individuals (Case Finding), and carrying out awareness and sensitization measures.
We work closely with the affected communities. Through information campaigns and training sessions, we provide knowledge about the diseases, their transmission routes, and protection options. This way, infections can be reduced, diseases detected early, and the acceptance of prevention and treatment offers strengthened.
Improvement of living conditions
Another component of our integrated approach is improving living conditions. Together with local partner organizations, we advocate for better access to clean water and improved sanitation and hygiene conditions (WASH). We also support measures to combat disease carriers like mosquitoes to sustainably interrupt transmission routes.
We pursue a One Health approach, which considers the close connection between the health of humans, animals, and the environment. This way, causes of diseases can be approached holistically, risks identified early, and future outbreaks can be prevented.
Implementation research
Implementation research helps us understand why healthcare services often do not reach the people who need them most. Together with local communities and partners, we identify barriers and develop solutions that are adapted to the specific circumstances. In this way, we connect scientific knowledge with on-the-ground experiences and ensure that health measures are not only well-planned but also effectively implemented.
Leprosy, yaws, elephantiasis ...
... are among the 21 neglected tropical diseases affecting one billion people worldwide. Learn more about the diseases that are particularly prevalent in FAIRMED's project regions.
Leprosy
Every year, over 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy. The ancient disease is far from extinct. Leprosy spreads especially in environments where people live in close quarters, are poorly nourished, and live in poverty—exactly where FAIRMED is active.
FAIRMED's fight against leprosyWorm diseases
Worms enter the human body through contaminated soil, water, or poor hygiene. Children in poor rural regions are particularly affected, where infections can lead to anemia, malnutrition, and developmental disorders. These are the very regions where FAIRMED operates.
FAIRMED's efforts against worm diseasesBuruli ulcer
Buruli ulcer is a bacterial infectious disease that destroys the skin and tissue up to the bone. Without treatment, large open wounds occur, leading to permanent disabilities and severe scarring.
How FAIRMED fights BuruliYaws
Yaws is a bacterial infectious disease and most commonly affects children. Symptoms include raspberry-like papules up to five centimeters large on the skin, which spread without treatment and lead to serious disabilities. Children are particularly often affected.
How FAIRMED helps those affectedDengue
Dengue causes high fever, severe headaches, and joint pain, and in severe cases can lead to life-threatening bleeding and organ failure. To ensure affected individuals have the necessary access to health, FAIRMED strengthens the health system in the affected regions.
FAIRMED's efforts against dengueSnake bites
Snake bites pose a life-threatening danger primarily in rural regions where there is no medical care. A bite can cause severe poisoning, paralysis, internal bleeding, or permanent disabilities. Without rapid medical treatment, a snake bite can also be fatal.
How FAIRMED supports those affected
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A diagnosis should not be a fate. With your donation, you give the poorest people at the end of the world the chance for a healthy future. Every contribution helps to change lives.
