The discussion will be moderated by the END Fund’s CEO and WEF Africa Co-Chair  Ellen Agler

The END Fund CEO and WEF Africa Co-Chair, Ellen Agler will host a multisectoral discussion themed “Ending Neglected Diseases to Enable Africa’s Prosperity” on how ending neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) can contribute to fulfilling Africa’s growth potential and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The END Fund is one of the leading global organizations dedicated to ending NTDs on the African continent. Ms. Agler will be joined by Dr. Mwele Malecela, Director of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases at the WHO, Carl Manlan, Chief Operating Officer of the Ecobank Foundation, Mark Suzman, Chief Strategy Officer and President of Global Policy and Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Founder and Co-Chairperson, Higherlife Foundation. This discussion will focus on how the persistence of neglected diseases in Africa not only affects people’s health, but also limits access to educational and economic opportunities.

“Investing in neglected tropical diseases is an investment in human capital – both for this generation and for decades to come. By removing the barriers of sickness and disability, NTD programs give millions of people the chance to live a full, productive life. I’m pleased to participate in this meeting to talk about the critical role of private investment, including from the pharmaceutical industry, in making this possible,” commented Mr. Suzman.

NTDs are a group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases affecting more than 1.5 billion of the world’s population, with about 40% of this burden concentrated in Africa. The five most common NTDs – intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, and river blindness –   have debilitating effects including severe pain, disabilities, blindness and can even lead to death.

On the continent, 600 million people are affected by preventable NTDs. Reducing this number would enable them to live a healthier and more prosperous life and allow the continent to break out of the cycle of poverty.

“Although, there have been great strides in the fight against NTDs, there is still more progress needed to get to the end. It is very possible that we can rid the world of these diseases in our lifetime. I am excited to have this meaningful conversation with our partners in this space on how together, our work can catalyze development on the continent,” said CEO Ellen Agler.

This topical conversation is aligned with the WEF Africa 2019 theme of “Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. As part of the ongoing global dialogue, this talk shall also focus on how the work on NTDs complements stakeholder cooperation and sustainable growth in the African landscape. 

Event details:
“Ending Neglected Diseases to Enable Africa’s Prosperity”
Date:  Friday, September 6, 2019
Timing:  7:00am – 8:30am
Location: Edward Schappen Room | The Westin Cape Town, Convention Square, Lower Long Street, Cape Town

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of The END Fund.

About the END Fund
The END Fund is the only private philanthropic initiative solely dedicated to ending the five most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which affect more than 1.5 billion people globally. It efficiently puts private capital to work, advocating for NTD programs that are innovative, integrated, and cost-effective. It facilitates strong partnerships with the private sector and has supported national disease control programs in 30 countries.

Since its founding in 2012, with its partners, the END Fund has provided over 720 million donated treatments worth over $1.3 billion, over 13,600 surgeries for people suffering from the effects of the advanced stages of elephantiasis and trachoma, and trained almost 1.9 million people in NTD control and elimination efforts.