Lessons from the field: integrated programmes for neglected tropical diseases.

Programmes for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have achieved tremendous progress in the last decade with a substantial scaling up of interventions worldwide. However, challenges remain to reach the ambitious targets of control, elimination and eradication set by the WHO. The first decade of progress against NTDs was characterised by predominantly vertical programmes, especially for those NTDs targeted for mass drug administration (MDA). These vertical programmes drove mapping, implementation and surveillance for individual NTDs. In turn, public health infrastructure reflected these vertical programmes, from disease-specific Medical Officers at WHO headquarters to in-country disease-specific programme leads and, frequently, dedicated single programme supply chains supported by large-scale pharmaceutical donations.