More countries eliminate neglected tropical diseases but investments key to sustain progress

Jan. 30, 2023
New progress report from WHO.

On World Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Day, the World Health Organization released a new progress report, entitled “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023” highlighting the progress and challenges in delivering NTD care worldwide, against a backdrop of COVID-19-related disruptions.

The new progress report shows that the number of people requiring NTD interventions fell by 80 million between 2020 and 2021, and eight countries were certified or validated as having eliminated one NTD in 2022 alone. As of December 2022, 47 countries had eliminated at least one NTD and more countries were in the process of achieving this target.

The report also notes the significant impact of COVID-19 had on community-based interventions and on access to health facilities, as well as on supply chains for healthcare products. This led to 34% fewer people receiving treatment for NTDs between 2019 and 2020, even if a general resumption of activities enabled a 11% increase in recovery in 2021, when approximately 900 million people were treated.

The new report emphasizes greater efforts and investments required to reverse delays and accelerate progress towards the NTD road map targets by 2030. Promoting country ownership and accountability, as well as the sustainability and predictability of financing, including more robust domestic funding, are key to achieving the NTD road map goals and enabling countries to deliver on their commitments to provide quality NTD services to affected populations.

WHO release

ID 161604768 © Kateryna Kon | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_161604768
ID 47558824 © Mark Adams | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_47558824
ID 325540530 © Alexander Abigosis | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_325540530
ID 335528788 © Prostockstudio | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_335528788