Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases

Today, at the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) Artificial Intelligence, Science, Technology & Innovation Day at the AU Summit in Ethiopia, Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases met with AUDA-NEPAD to cement a growing partnership dedicated to eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) across Africa. Africa bears over 40% of the global NTD burden, yet these diseases are preventable and treatable. By integrating AI, data-driven decision-making, and innovation, we can close the demographic divide, enhance health equity, and accelerate progress towards the 2030 NTD roadmap goals. Technology and collaboration are key to ensuring that no one is left behind. Read more here: https://bit.ly/41h3YdB 💡 #AIForGood | #BeatNTDs | #AUSummit | #GlobalHealth

At the 74th East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Ministers Conference \(ECSA-HMC\), Uniting to Combat NTDs made a bold statement: we can eliminate neglected tropical diseases \(NTDs\) in our lifetime. But how? ✅ Unite – Governments, organizations, and communities must work together. ✅ Act – Sustainable domestic investments in NTD programs are critical. ✅ Eliminate – Through strategic partnerships, health system strengthening, and policy commitment, we can end NTDs. NTDs affect over 600 million people in Africa, keeping communities trapped in cycles of poverty and disease. Yet, investing in their elimination delivers a 25:1 return—a win for health, economies, and equity. The call is clear: prioritize domestic resource mobilization to secure sustainable funding for NTDs and accelerate progress towards the WHO NTD Roadmap, AU Roadmap 2030, and SDG 3.3. Let’s make NTD elimination a reality. #UniteActEliminate #NTDElimination #HealthForAll ##74ECSAHMC

📢 New Policy Brief Launched: Centering Lived Experience in the Fight Against NTDs A new policy brief, co-developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the TIBA Partnership, and individuals with lived experience of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Sudan, was officially launched at the recent exhibition and high-level event in Edinburgh. This policy brief is a call to action, highlighting the experiences of those directly affected and outlining practical steps for governments and health systems to better integrate community voices into policy and decision-making. During the launch Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall Director of the WHO NTD Programme, emphasized: 🗣️ “Let us all come together to ensure more countries develop the guidelines and tools we need for stronger country ownership and sustainability.” This brief is a roadmap to more inclusive and effective NTD policies, ensuring that those with lived experience are not just beneficiaries but active participants in shaping solutions. 📖 Read the policy brief and learn how we can drive change together: https://bit.ly/410cf5w #UniteActEliminate | #BeatNTDs

📣A Major Step Forward in the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)! On #WorldNTDDay 2025, global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates gathered at the Royal Society of Edinburgh to reaffirm their commitment to eliminating NTDs. The event, hosted in partnership with Uniting to Combat NTDs, TIBA and The University of Edinburgh highlighted the urgent need for action and investment to tackle these neglected diseases affecting 1.5 billion people worldwide. One of the evening’s key moments was the endorsement of the Kigali Declaration by European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)3. Dr. Michael Makanga, Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3, signed the declaration, reinforcing the commitment to sustained investment in NTD research and treatment. ✨ To accelerate progress, EDCTP3 has committed €46 million for research and innovation projects focused on NTDs, with a particular emphasis on vaccine development. This is a powerful step towards eliminating these preventable diseases and ensuring no one is left behind. 🔗 Learn more and join the fight to #BeatNTDs: https://bit.ly/410cf5w

On World NTD Day 2025, leaders, scientists, and advocates gathered at The Royal Society of Edinburgh to reaffirm their commitment to fighting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The night featured: ✅ A powerful exhibition by Marcus Perkins & Dr. Barry Gibb, amplifying affected voices ✅ A policy brief launch shaping NTD strategies in Zimbabwe, Tanzania & Sudan ✅ A €46M commitment to accelerate NTD research & innovation With momentum building, the message is clear: we must unite, act, and eliminate NTDs once and for all. 📖 Read the full story in this article. #WorldNTDDay #UniteActEliminate #BeatNTDs

On #WorldNTDDay2025 we're delighted to announce three new endorsers of the Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases (#NTDs). Demonstrating great commitment to ending these preventable and treatable diseases! The new endorsers include Vestergaard, the country of #Sudan and European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP). About the Kigali Declaration on NTDs The Kigali Declaration on NTDs reinforces a strong and collective commitment to achieve ambitious targets set by the WHO Road Map for NTDs, including the elimination of at least one NTD in 100 countries by 2030. The Declaration advocates for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and innovative solutions to ensure no one suffers from these preventable and treatable diseases. Each signatory makes a unique and vital contribution towards ending #NTDs and collectively, these translate into incredible progress being made which is all captured on the Kigali Declaration Commitment Tracker. We thank all endorsers for their unique and vital contributions. Visit our website for the full story and to learn how to endorse the Kigali Declaration. Together, we can #UniteActEliminate to #BeatNTDs

The Duchess of Edinburgh visited a #trachoma outreach camp at Mlandizi Health Centre, #Tanzania in September last year. Here The Duchess is joining celebrations in #Zanzibar. While in Tanzania, Her Royal Highness set the ambition for the elimination of trachoma across the Commonwealth by 2030 and delivered a short message from The King commending the ongoing efforts: “I particularly wanted you all to know how full of admiration and gratitude I am for your passion and devoted efforts in treating and preventing neglected tropical diseases, especially trachoma. Your constant dedication and hard work will lead us to a world where inclusion and equality can be realised across our Commonwealth.” This #WorldNTDDay let us #UniteActEliminate to #BeatNTDs Sightsavers International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

Congratulations to Devex and Gates Foundation on the launch of their new microsite on neglected tropical diseases (#NTDs)! Uniting to Combat NTD's Executive Director, Dr Isatou Touray's opinion piece is now live there. The piece reflects on progress made to date and why urgent action is needed to achieve the World Health Organization's 2030 Roadmap goals on #NTDs: "Having witnessed the toll of NTDs and the power of coordinated efforts, #UniteActEliminate is more than a theme, it’s a rallying cry. By strengthening collaboration, increasing political commitment, and expanding financial support, we can transform this midpoint into a genuine tipping point for ending NTDs once and for all." Says Dr Touray. #WorldNTDDay #BeatNTDs https://bit.ly/4gksYox

Congratulations #Niger on becoming the first country in #Africa to eliminate onchocerciasis (#RiverBlindness)! This incredible milestone shows what can be achieved if we work together to #UniteActEliminate neglected tropical diseases (#NTDs) "Eliminating a disease is a significant achievement that requires tireless dedication,” stated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director-General. “I congratulate Niger for its commitment to liberating its population from this blinding, stigmatizing illness that causes so much human suffering among the poorest. This success is yet another testament to the remarkable strides we have made against neglected tropical diseases and offers hope to other nations still battling onchocerciasis, demonstrating that elimination is possible.” This #WorldNTDDay, we call on Governments, donors, private sector partners, and philanthropic organizations to not only sustain but increase investments in NTDs. Together, we can bridge projected funding gaps and protect vulnerable communities from the preventable suffering caused by #NTDs. https://bit.ly/3PVAP0T

Happy #WorldNTDDay2025! Today Dr Isatou Touray and the team here at Uniting to Combat NTDs are committing to bringing governments, stakeholders, partners, donors and civil society together to advocate for further funding, and to sustain future efforts in neglected tropical disease (#NTD) elimination! Right now it is more important than ever to celebrate gains made and to inspire others to #UniteActEliminate! We can’t wait to hear your achievements and commitments! Get involved now: https://bit.ly/3WADwZK #BeatNTDs