Global Summit on Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis!

The 1st Global Summit on Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis took place in the city on 19th and 20th of June 2022. Over 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminth infections worldwide or 24% of the world’s population. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, with the greatest numbers occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China, and East Asia. Based on the given number and facts, WHO supported the National program technical and financially for this global summit.

Several high-profile government officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Director General Health Services (DGHS), Directorate of Primary Education (DPE), Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), National Nutritional service (NNS), along with other development partners from national and international level has attended the summit. From WHO Bangladesh Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office, was present at the inaugural session, as guest of honour. The team leader of CDS, Dr Anupama Hazarika, presented the "Policy brief on deworming of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age during the technical session."

Mr. Zahid Maleque, MP Hon'ble Minister MoHFW, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, inaugurated the summit as chief guest. Prof. Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Director General, DGHS, Bangladesh, chaired the event. At the inauguration, Mr. Syed Mojibul Huq, Additional Secretary (Public Health Wing), HSD, MoHFW, Bangladesh, welcomed the participants. Prof. Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam, Director, Disease Control & Line Director, CDC DGHS, Bangladesh, presented the keynote speech at the summit. Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office delivered his speech as a guest of honor. Dr Jamsheed Ahmed emphasized the collaborative approach to work on Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis and ensured WHO support for this.

Photo credit: Niveditha Narasimhan

On the second day, a session on Evidence, Challenges, and Future Plans have taken place. Prof. Dr. Md. Shamiul Islam, Director (Administration), DGHS, Bangladesh & Dr. Paul Emerson, Director, Children Without Worms (CWW), USA, co-chair the session. Presentations on Post Intervention Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminths, Bangladesh, Pre-SAC (School-Aged Children) Coverage and Challenges for STH in Bangladesh and Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths & Need for Deworming by Districts, Bangladesh-Results of Predictive Geospatial Modelling and Strategic direction for Future Deworming in Bangladesh has shared with the participants. There was an active discussion in the plenary session.

According to WHO, Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor.  More about Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis 

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