Videos | In the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, patients and experts talk about the pain and consequences of living with leishmaniasis, a neglected disease.
A video, documentary journalistic series produced by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in Latin America, a collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, non-profit drug research and development (R&D) organization that is developing new treatments for neglected diseases.
350 million people in 98 countries are at risk of contracting leishmaniasis, a disease caused by Leishmania, transmitted by sandflies. Although there is some progress in drug development, especially for visceral leishmaniasis (also known as kala-azar), current drugs remain expensive, toxic, difficult to administer, or ill-suited for use in remote areas. There is a lack of adequate treatment in Africa and Latin America. While there are some treatments recommended by WHO, sustainable access to treatment is not widely available in endemic countries.
A young mother struggles to access treatment and support, and give a better life for her family since burdened with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
João Lucas was only 8 months old when he was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis. This video is a tribute to his early-on struggles and a celebration of his successful treatment.
Moacir struggles with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease with horrific physical and psychological burdens, and the lack of available and accessible treatments for 25 years.
A young, working boy, almost loses his means and motivation when treating against visceral leishmaniasis, a fatal disease.