Vestergaard Sàrl, a renowned social enterprise specializing in material science innovation to tackle global challenges, made a significant announcement on World Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Day. The company revealed its commitment to supporting efforts to eliminate sleeping sickness by signing the Kigali Declaration on NTDs. This declaration, launched in Rwanda in June 2022, aims to garner political will, mobilize resources, and secure commitments to combat NTDs effectively. Vestergaard’s endorsement of the declaration aligns with its ongoing contribution of “Tiny Targets” for vector control in the fight against sleeping sickness.
Sleeping sickness, scientifically known as human African trypanosomiasis, is a prevalent NTD in sub-Saharan Africa transmitted by infected tsetse flies. Without treatment, the disease is often fatal, with the gambiense form being the most common, particularly affecting rural populations. Encouraging progress has been made in the fight against sleeping sickness, with Guinea recently becoming the eighth country to achieve the elimination of gambiense sleeping sickness as a public health concern. The number of reported cases has significantly decreased over the years, showcasing the effectiveness of concerted efforts in disease control.
Vestergaard actively participates in the TrypaNO! and TrypElim partnerships, which focus on integrating tsetse fly control with screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies to drive sleeping sickness cases down to zero. The company’s innovative Tiny Targets play a crucial role in attracting and eliminating tsetse flies, thereby preventing the transmission of the disease to humans. By committing to donate up to 150,000 Tiny Targets annually, Vestergaard aims to support the WHO’s goal of eliminating sleeping sickness transmission in 15 countries by 2030.
Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in disease elimination, crediting strong partnerships and integrated strategies for the progress made in combating sleeping sickness. Dr. Andrew Hope, Senior Programme Manager at LSTM, acknowledged Vestergaard’s vital role in the Tiny Targets program and their contributions to the fight against sleeping sickness. Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of Uniting to Combat NTDs, commended Vestergaard’s commitment to innovation and partnership in accelerating progress towards the WHO’s 2030 NTD goals.
In conclusion, Vestergaard’s dedication to supporting sleeping sickness elimination through the donation of Tiny Targets underscores the company’s commitment to improving global health outcomes. Their participation in the Kigali Declaration on NTDs reflects a continued effort to combat NTDs effectively and contribute to achieving WHO targets. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, Vestergaard is at the forefront of driving positive change in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
For more information, please contact Sarah-Jane Loveday, Director of Communication & Marketing, at sjl@vestergaard.com. General inquiries can be directed to hello@vestergaard.com. Learn more about Vestergaard Sàrl, a certified B Corporation, and their impactful initiatives in material science innovation by visiting their website at www.vestergaard.com.
