Neglected Tropical Disease Mentorship Launched in Honour of Dr Mwele Malecela – African Business

World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced plans to set up a mentorship programme for African women working in neglected tropical diseases programmes. The mentorship is in honour of the late Dr Mwele Malecela, who was one of Africa’s most highly respected female scientists and public health leaders.

The mentorship programme will equip African women with leadership skills and travel and networking opportunities. This will enable them to be leaders and champions for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases.

“Dr Mwele was an inspiration to women in science. She gave freely of her time and talents to mentor and motivate the next generation of global health professionals, particularly women and this mentorship programme will keep her legacy alive,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Focused specifically on African women living in African countries, the programme aims to help them overcome barriers to realizing their potential and become leaders and champions of neglected tropical disease elimination at home and internationally.”

Neglected tropical illnesses are a collection of 20 diseases or disease group that are more common in tropical and/or subtropical regions. They include lymphatic filariasis also known as elephantiasis. Onchocerciasis is also known as river blindness. Schistosomiasis and bilharzia are some of the more common ones.

The Mwele Malecela mentorship programme is part of wider efforts to drive progress towards the goals of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Global Roadmap 2021–2030 which seeks to reduce by 90% the number of people requiring treatment for the diseases; to have at least 100 countries eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease; to eradicate two diseases (Guinea worm and yaws); and reduce disability related to these diseases by 75%.

More than a billion people worldwide are affected by neglected tropical diseases. Nearly 40% (400 million) of the global burden is attributed to Africa. These diseases can cause severe pain and disabilities, deformities, malnutrition and cognitive impairment, as well as severe pain and cognitive impairment. Anaemia can directly impact maternal mortality.

Dr Malecela served as Director of the Office of the Regional Director for Africa in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and then as Director of WHO Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases Control at WHO’s Headquarters in Geneva. Prior to joining WHO, Dr Malecela served as the Director-General of the National Institute for Medical Research, United Republic of Tanzania – the first woman to occupy this position – and as founding Director of the National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme in Tanzania.

Distributed by APO Group for WHO Regional Office for Africa