The infectious diseases leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and trachoma, a disease of the conjunctiva and cornea, affect millions of people, especially in poorer regions of the Global South - yet they are little known in countries like Germany.
This is where the street theatre ensemble ‘Schluck & weg’ comes in, bringing the issue of overlooked health needs to shopping areas and schools across Germany in September 2024. The street theatre ensemble ‘Schluck & weg’ by BUKO Pharma-Kampagne artistically focuses on a topic that rarely makes it into the media. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), however, also lead a shadowy existence in everyday political life and especially in commercial research. Because the profit expectations are rather low, there is little investment from the pharmaceutical industry. There are major gaps in the diagnosis of NTDs and in adequate medication. There is an almost complete lack of vaccines for these diseases. In the special case of venomous snakebites, the lack of suitable and affordable antidotes is a key problem. This makes public funding initiatives all the more important. However, as an ongoing NTD education project by the Pharma Campaign shows, the corresponding research funding in Germany is also lagging behind political commitments.
The public should learn more about the issue, which is also becoming more pressing for Europe, not least due to climate change. ‘Schluck & weg’ creatively conveys interesting facts, encourages reflection and calls for commitment in order to give more visibility to the neglected diseases.
The street theatre is performed by volunteer amateur actors and is a project of the BUKO Pharma-Kampagne in Bielefeld. ‘Schluck & weg’ has existed for 40 years and provides information about global health problems and unhealthy pharmaceutical business practices. Each year, groups of actors go on tour and visit public places and school playgrounds with their rolling stage. After the 20-minute performances, the volunteers answer questions from the audience. Information material on the topic is available free of charge.
Selected stops on the 2024 tour:
6.9. Oldenburg: City centre (Waffenplatz, 11:00 - 15:00), in cooperation with Health For Future and Weltladen Oldenburg
7.9. Bremen: City centre (Wallanlagen opposite the Kunsthalle Bremen, 11:00 - 15:30), in cooperation with Dr Günther Egidi, University of Bremen, patron: Health Senator Claudia Bernhard
11.9. Hanover: Linden district (Küchengarten 14:30 - 18:00), in cooperation with the AllerWeltsLaden Hanover
12.9. Bad Oeynhausen: Europaschule (school-only event) and evening event (Begegnungszentrum Druckerei e.V., 19:00)
13.9. Bielefeld: City centre (Jahnplatz, 12:00 - 16:00), in cooperation with Welthaus Bielefeld
Subject to change, all current venues/times: Aktuelle Tournee (bukopharma.de)
