Ending the neglect: Lessons from a decade of success in responding to NTDs

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases with distinct characteristics found mainly among the poorest populations of the world. These diseases share a common stranglehold on those populations left furthest behind by development: they perpetuate poverty

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region has made significant progress in reducing the heavy health burden caused by NTDs over the past decade – reducing levels of morbidity and mortality, while substantially improving the quality of life for millions of people living with these conditions. As of 2023, 19 Member States have eliminated at least one NTD in the region, up from only six countries in 2010. There are currently 88 million less people requiring interventions against NTDs in the region as compared to 2013. To date, four countries have been officially validated for elimination of at least one of the five priority preventive chemotherapy NTDs: with Malawi and Togo eliminating lymphatic filariasis; and the Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, and Togo eliminating trachoma.