Abu Dhabi landmarks light up to mark fight against tropical disease

World NTD Day puts the spotlight on the often-forgotten illnesses that cause misery in many of the planet’s poorest countries

Abu Dhabi's modernist landmark Municipality building is bathed in light on Saturday night. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The W hotel on Yas Island is lit in the colours of the NTD campaign. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Hazza bin Zayed stadium is home to Al Ain FC. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Buildings around Abu Dhabi lit up for World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) lit up on Saturday night. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Khalifa University's campus in downtown Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Buildings around Abu Dhabi lit up for World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Buildings around Abu Dhabi lit up for World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi’s best-known landmarks were lit up on Saturday night to put the spotlight on the global fight against tropical diseases.

The capital’s Adnoc headquarters, W Yas Island hotel and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium were bathed in light to mark World Neglected Tropical Disease Day.

In recent years, the emirate’s leaders have pledged tens of millions of dollars towards tackling serious diseases that are often overlooked.

It is estimated that NTDs affect about 1.7 billion people.

They include: leprosy, Chagas disease, intestinal worms, dengue and chikungunya, Guinea worm disease, scabies, trachoma and schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, yaws, river blindness and sleeping sickness.

Experts warn that with global medical resources diverted to the coronavirus pandemic, resources are being sucked away from the fight against NTDs.

The World Health Organisation has set out a plan for eradicating many tropical diseases by 2030.

“If we are to end the scourge of neglected tropical diseases, we urgently need to do things differently,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director general, speaking last week.

“This means injecting new energy into our efforts and working together in new ways to get prevention and treatment for all these diseases, to everyone who needs it.”