The forgotten diseases.

The last in a 10-part series investigating diseases from around the globe. Worms and parasites which cause disease are the subject of this programme. Dealing with the parasites could have an impact on the 'big three' killers in the developing world which are TB, AIDS and malaria. The hope is that by treating people with readily available medicines, this will significantly improve the quality of life for the infected person and their ability to cope with infection. One of the diseases which is caused by a parasite is elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis). Bilharzia is prevalent around Lake Victoria as is river blindness (onchocerciasis) with 20 million cases and it is irreversible unless treated. These diseases are known collectively as 'neglected tropical diseases' which effect the poorest of the poor. Many people live in very remote places. Evidence suggests that the impact is as great as TB, AIDS and malaria but the cost of treatment only a fraction in comparison. In India, a child is dying of kala azar, a form of leishmaniasis, as the cost of the medicine is too expensive. At the end, she does receive treatment for free from a doctor who uses medicines funded by a charity.