This research paper explores how the interruption of school-based health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including deworming programs, highlighted the importance of these services. It discusses the acceleration of multisectoral approaches to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with school closures acting as a catalyst for global efforts in health and education recovery.
Bundy DAP, Schultz L, Antoninis M, Barry FBM, Burbano C, Croke K, Drake L, Gyapong J, Karutu C, Kihara J, Lo MM, Makkar P, Mwandawiro C, Ossipow SJ, Bento AR, Rollinson D, Shah H, Turner HC. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B; 2023.
This policy brief advocates for debt relief conditioned on investments in human capital, particularly in school meal programs. It discusses the potential of converting debt into human capital investments to alleviate food insecurity, improve education, and promote sustainable development. The brief emphasizes the importance of prioritizing human capital investments in response to global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, and climate change.
