As part of the WHO Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) 2021–2030, nearly 300 experts from various countries, including donors, technical partners, academia, and patients’ associations, will gather for a two-day NTDs Programme Partners’ Meeting in Geneva starting on Monday.
This significant event holds particular importance for India, which bears the largest absolute burden of at least 10 major NTDs globally, including hookworm, dengue, lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar, and rabies. Many of these diseases, such as lymphatic filariasis and dengue, disproportionately affect millions of people throughout the country, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.
The objectives of the meeting are to assess progress on the WHO road map, enhance understanding of global NTD operations, explore disease-specific and cross-cutting perspectives, and engage in comprehensive discussions on the vision of eliminating NTDs. The WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 serves as a comprehensive framework, setting targets, mechanisms for alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and other global agendas, and calling for strategic shifts in NTD approaches to end the epidemic of neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
The meeting will focus on several key areas, including reviewing the current progress toward achieving the 2030 targets, identifying major gaps and challenges in reaching those targets, establishing principles and practical steps to implement action plans, mobilizing support and commitment from NTD partners, and planning for a Global Action Plan for 2025–2030.
The WHO’s latest progress report, titled “Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2023,” released earlier this year, highlighted positive developments, stating that the number of people requiring NTD interventions decreased by 80 million between 2020 and 2021. Additionally, eight countries were certified or validated as having eliminated at least one NTD in 2022 alone. As of December 2022, 47 countries had achieved the target of eliminating at least one NTD, with more countries working towards this goal.
However, the report emphasizes the need for further action. It calls for increased efforts and investments to overcome delays and accelerate progress towards the NTD road map targets by 2030. The report underscores the importance of promoting country ownership, accountability, sustainability, and predictability of financing, including robust domestic funding, to achieve the goals outlined in the road map and enable countries to provide quality NTD services to affected populations.
The NTDs Programme Partners’ Meeting provides a platform for global experts to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and strategize on effective measures to combat neglected tropical diseases, ultimately improving the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide.