In a monumental achievement, Bangladesh has become the first country in the world to be officially validated for having eliminated visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar, as a public health problem. This milestone results from dedicated efforts and collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Government of Bangladesh, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), the Government of the United Kingdom, Gilead Sciences, Inc., the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, and other partners in the WHO South-East Asia Region.

Kala-azar, the most severe form of leishmaniasis, is a life-threatening disease caused by Leishmania spp. parasites transmitted by infected female phlebotomine sandflies. It affects the most disadvantaged rural communities, among whom poverty, poor housing conditions, malnutrition, genetic factors and other infectious diseases are major risk factors. Kala-azar leads to symptoms such as fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and, if left untreated, can prove fatal in over 95% of cases.