Breaking the cycle of neglected diseases

As international funding is depleted, African countries must step up or risk letting old threats return. 

In communities where clean water is scarce and healthcare out of reach, preventable illnesses continue to thrive. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a longstanding, overlooked health emergency affecting more than 1.6 billion people globally, with 40% of the burden in Africa alone. NTDs such as schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and trachoma remain diseases of poverty, flourishing in the absence of clean water, sanitation, and accessible health services.

The African Union (AU) established the Continental Framework for the elimination and control of NTDs to integrate NTD strategies, coordinate efforts, and mobilize resources across the continent. This was adopted by member states in 2022, emphasizing integrated approaches, community engagement, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. Recent publications have called for “ending the neglect” of these diseases through domestic funding of NTD control programmes. The call has taken on a renewed urgency because of a shifting in the global financing architecture that has historically underpinned African NTD programmes.