Act now. Act together. Invest in Neglected Tropical Diseases.  

World Neglected Tropical Disease Day brings heightened awareness to the need for immediate sustainable financing, and country accountability of #NTDs which are widespread in the developing world affecting the most vulnerable populations and regions, but are since controlled or eradicated in the developed world, to accelerate progress towards the World Health Organization NTD road map targets by 2030.  

Though NTDs affect 1.7 billion people worldwide, and account for 57 million disability-adjusted life-years lost, the lack of awareness and concerted global action to tackle this diverse group of 20 conditions prevalent in tropical areas, disproportionately affecting women and children in impoverished communities have led to very little funding and international attention. These diseases, many of which are vector-borne, have animal reservoirs and complex life-cycles, making their public health control challenging, are “neglected” as they are almost always absent from the global health agenda and are associated with stigma and social exclusion. 

Prevalent in areas where the understanding of #WASH, #nutrition and #onehealth are inadequate, these diseases of neglected populations perpetuate a cycle of poverty, poor health outcomes and limited economic opportunity. Nigeria is one of the most endemic countries in the world for NTDs, with an estimated 100 million people in the country at-risk for at least one NTD, and accounting for about 25% of the burden of NTDs in Africa. 

Through my Wellbeing Foundation Africa programmes, we are #100PercentCommitted to beating NTDs; and in my advocacy withThe END Fund, I have witnessed firsthand how grassroots collective action and programming strengthen public health measures and disease surveillance, allowing for the upskilling of local health workers, accessible treatment, and community behavioural change to effectively control, eliminate and eradicate #NTDs. 

The new World Health Organization progress report released, entitled “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023” highlights that we have the tools to save lives, prevent suffering and make 2023 the year to shine a spotlight on investing in universal care to end these diseases that are entirely preventable. 

Equity in access, equity in care and equity in recognition are needed to #BeatNTDs.

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