The Affected Voices Meeting in Tanzania has built on the success of the first Affected Voices Meeting in Zimbabwe. These gatherings serve a vital purpose: to offer a platform for individuals affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with a particular focus on those grappling with snakebite envenoming, schistosomiasis/bilharzia, and lymphatic filariasis/elephantiasis. Attendees representing Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Sudan convened to share their experiences.  In addition to the voices of those directly impacted by NTDs, we've actively involved community health workers, government officials, experts, and researchers. This diverse array of perspectives enriches our understanding and informs the discussions, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive policy report aimed at charting a path forward in combating NTDs.

As the meeting drew to a close, participants put forth various suggestions to enhance the policy report. These include advocating for much-needed psychological support for individuals affected by NTDs, bolstering diagnostic capabilities for healthcare workers to ensure accurate patient identification at the primary care level, and amplifying communication efforts to raise awareness about NTDs. Additionally, securing increased healthcare funding support emerged as a crucial aspect of the proposed strategies.

This event has been covered by the following outlets: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z7eR6q-XNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8UDtO59qvY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBNG4m5R-7k