Breaking the Cycle of Neglect: Commemorating World NTD Day 2025

Today, as we commemorate World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, we reflect on the strides made and the road ahead in the fight against NTDs. These diseases, which affect over 1.65 billion people worldwide impacting the world’s most vulnerable populations, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting access to education and employment ^1,2,3.However, there is hope, progress, and a renewed commitment to ending this scourge.

NTDs affect 1.65 billion people worldwide

NTDs: A Global and Local Challenge

NTDs, such as lymphatic filariasis, visceral leishmaniasis, trachoma, and Guinea worm disease, are preventable and treatable. Yet, they thrive in marginalised communities, often hidden from the global health agenda. Beyond the suffering they cause, these diseases hinder economic growth and cost developing nations billions of dollars annually ^4. The consequences are not just medical but deeply personal, affecting lives, futures, and communities ^5.

Figure 1 – Transmission mode of some NTDs [ Source – Magalhães, A. R., et al., ^{6 ]}

Africa bears 40% of the global NTD burden, with every country on the continent facing at least one endemic NTD ². Despite these challenges, Africa has become a beacon of resilience and progress.

Africa bears 40% of the global NTD burden

Celebrating Success: A Transformative Decade

Over the past decade, remarkable milestones have been achieved:

21 African countries have eliminated at least one NTD (Africa CDC, 2024). Togo’s achievement of eliminating four NTDs – Guinea worm disease, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, and trachoma – stands as a global benchmark⁷.
Malawi recently eliminated trachoma, once a major public health threat, showcasing the impact of sustained commitment and partnerships⁸.
In 2022, the Kigali Declaration on NTDs mobilised political will, community engagement, and financial resources to advance the fight against NTDs across the continent⁹.

21 African countries have eliminated at least one NTD

Figure 2 – Countries having eliminated at least 1 NTD [ Source – WHO ¹⁰]

The Pillars of Progress: What Drives Success

Country Ownership: National leadership is pivotal. African countries have demonstrated the importance of taking ownership of health strategies, aligning them with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ².
Sustainable Financing: Chronic underfunding has long hampered NTD programs. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted efforts, but innovative financing mechanisms and domestic investments are paving the way forward^4,5..
Partnerships and Collaboration: From the London Declaration (2012) to the Kigali Declaration (2022), partnerships among governments, donors, pharmaceutical companies, civil society, and academia have galvanised progress (Wasunna, 2023). The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) exemplifies how partnerships can accelerate the development of better, safer treatments⁷.
Innovation in Healthcare: Advances in diagnostic tools, treatments, and vaccines are transforming the landscape. Shorter and safer treatment regimens, such as the new oral drugs for visceral leishmaniasis, are reducing barriers to care⁷.

Challenges Ahead: The Last Mile

Despite these achievements, the fight is far from over. Funding is a major issue, only 0.6% of development assistance for health is allocated to NTDs that affect about 1.5 billion people or roughly 20% of the world population ¹¹.

NTDs remain endemic in 49 African countries 8. Climate change, under-resourced health systems, and economic shocks threaten to derail progress ². Many health workers still face a lack of diagnostic tools, limited integration of NTDs into national health programs, and insufficient funding ⁴.

However, the resilience of communities, the dedication of health workers, and the commitment of governments and partners offer hope. As Dr. Monique Wasunna notes, the structures and strategies to eliminate NTDs already exist; what’s needed is the determination to sustain and scale them ⁷.

Reaffirming Our Commitment on World NTD Day 2025

On this World NTD Day, let us celebrate the progress made and recommit to the fight. Together, through partnerships, innovation, and sustained efforts, we can break the cycle of neglect and pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future for all.

References

Uniting to Combat NTDs. Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2025. Available from – https://unitingtocombatntds.org/en/neglected-tropical-diseases/
Africa CDC. Launch of the 2024-2027 Blueprint for NTDs. 2024. Available from – https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-launches-a-continental-blueprint-to-combat-endemic-and-neglected-tropical-diseases/
World Health Organization. Neglected tropical disease. 2023. Available from – https://www.who.int/health-topics/neglected-tropical-diseases#tab=tab_2
George NS, David SC, Nabiryo M, et al. Addressing neglected tropical diseases in Africa: a health equity perspective. Glob Health Res Policy. 2023;8(1):30. Published 2023 Jul 25. doi:10.1186/s41256-023-00314-1
Mpanju-Shumbusho, W. . A transformative fight against NTDs. 2024. Available from – https://www.nature.com/articles/d44148-024-00164-0
Magalhães, A. R., Codeço, C. T., Svenning, J. C., Escobar, L. E., Van de Vuurst, P., & Gonçalves-Souza, T. (2023). Neglected tropical diseases risk correlates with poverty and early ecosystem destruction. Infectious diseases of poverty, 12(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-023-01084-1
Wasunna, M. . Africa is winning the war against NTDs. 2023. Available from – https://dndi.org/viewpoints/2023/africa-is-winning-the-war-against-neglected-tropical-diseases/#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20notes,%2C%20sleeping%20sickness%2C%20and%20trachoma.
Elphick-Pooley, T. . Africa Day: Celebrating progress in Africa on neglected tropical diseases. 2023. Avaialbale from – https://unitingtocombatntds.org/en/news-and-views/africa-day-celebrating-progress-in-africa-on-neglected-tropical-diseases/ ]
Uniting to Combat NTDs. Kigali Declaration. 2023. Available from – https://unitingtocombatntds.org/en/the-kigali-declaration/the-declaration/
World Health Organization. Countries having eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease . 2024. Available from – https://www.who.int/images/default-source/maps/elimination_ntds.png?sfvrsn=bb12c410_3
Addisu, Ayenew et al. “Neglected tropical diseases and the sustainable development goals: an urgent call for action from the front line.” BMJ global health vol. 4,1 e001334. 8 Feb. 2019, doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001334