From primitive jungle medicine to tropical medicine: history of progress and current challenges in the tropical disease control

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have long been overlooked in the global health agenda. The article is intended to generate information in consideration of the history of colonization of tropical countries with a special focus on tropical diseases especially common in the army during colonial wars and throughout the colonial era. Extreme poverty and warm tropical climates are the two most potent forces promoting the spread of neglected tropical diseases. European colonial doctors made valuable contribution towards understanding them and discovery these diseases. Large outbreaks of infectious and tropical diseases occurred in the Army throughout the colonial era, strongly influenced the formation of the Army Medical Services including provision for teaching and research. Subsequent improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment reduced the mortality from tropical diseases. Now in an era of “globalized” environment of interdependent trade, travel, migration, and international economic markets, many factors play an important role in the rise, emergence, and reemergence of tropical infectious disease, which necessitates a coordinated, global response. Many of the emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are also “neglected,” meaning they impact the world’s poorest and lack adequate funding and innovation for prevention and treatment, with some not adequately identified or studied. Although progress has been made in the management of neglected disease, there remains much work to be done. During the coming decade the global response will be able to further build on today’s successes, align with the new global health and development frameworks.

Keywords

• colonial wars
• “neglected” tropical diseases
• tropical medicine
• emerging diseases
• reemerging diseases
• history
• military medicine