Fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases in Burkina Faso: International triple jump athlete, Hugues Fabrice Zango, strengthens his commitment alongside us.

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – A strategic meeting was held on October 10, 2024, at the Speak Up Africa office to formalize the commitment of international athlete and African triple jump record holder, Hugues Fabrice Zango, as a champion in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Alongside representatives of the National NTD Control Program, the realization of this commitment marks a significant advancement in the involvement of NTD champions to support the Ministry of Health’s objectives to eliminate certain diseases by 2030.

NTDs encompass 21 diseases, including lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), trachoma, leprosy, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, dengue, and rabies. These diseases can cause severe disabilities and unnecessary suffering, primarily affecting poor and marginalized populations. Despite their impact, they receive little attention and funding on the global health agenda. In Burkina Faso, despite notable progress, they continue to afflict certain communities.

The commitment of renowned athletes like Hugues Fabrice Zango represents a major step forward. His role as an NTD champion will significantly contribute to increasing awareness and strengthening advocacy to mobilize the resources needed to combat these diseases.

Expressing a deep sense of responsibility, Zango stated: “Although we have heard about some of these diseases, it often felt like a distant echo. We don’t always realize that people are still suffering. I am committed to using my platform to raise awareness, educate, and positively influence others to join the fight against these diseases in our countries.”

“We must remember that behind the numbers describing cases or victims, there are human lives affected by these neglected diseases. It is through our collective commitment that we can bring about concrete change and prevent others from suffering from what can be treated and avoided,” he added.

This young Burkinabe, double world athletics champion in 2023 and 2024, holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Artois in France, combining both athletic and academic excellence that inspire. An emblematic figure of his country, he won Burkina Faso’s first Olympic medal in 2020 and holds the African record in triple jump with a mark of 18.07 meters since January 16, 2021.

With the support of champions like him, within the framework of the national network of NTD champions launched in July 2024 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Speak Up Africa aims to bring together influential voices for the elimination and control of NTDs in Burkina Faso, mobilizing public officials, private sector actors, artists, athletes, journalists, and community leaders. These influential voices dedicated to the NTD cause will help break taboos and change perceptions, which is crucial for eliminating these diseases.

Our other NTD champions in Burkina include: Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, Minister of Health of Burkina Faso; Ms. Cécile Beloum, President of the AMMIE NGO, community champion; Mr. Mahamadi Ouédraogo, journalist at Burkina National Radio, media champion; and Dr. Diedon Alain Hien, Secretary General of private health sector associations and consular and parliamentary elected official, private sector champion.

Roukiattou Ouédraogo, Coordinator of Speak Up Africa