The Yamoussoukro Declaration on Buruli ulcer

Overview

The Yamoussoukro Declaration on Buruli Ulcer was signed during the conference on Buruli ulcer control and research held in Yamoussokro, Côte d'Ivoire (6-8 july 1998). The signing of this declaration by the President of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Benin, and the Director-General of WHO served to stimulate all participants and to spawn hope that such proclamations will be followed by meaningful actions. The declaration also served to back WHO's efforts to address the disease. The speeches of the three Presidents emphasized the important link between health and overall development. The DG's speech stressed the need to simultaneously address traditional diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, as well as emerging diseases like Buruli ulcer, if international efforts to control communicable diseases in general are to have any significant impact in the 21st century.