I was privileged to watch the launch of
A road map for neglected tropical diseases
2021–2030. It was a wonderful occasion.
The road map aims at,
- Stronger accountability
- Intensified cross-cutting approaches
- A change in operating model and culture https://www.who.int/teams/control-of-neglected-tropical-diseases/ending-ntds-together-towards-2030
The speeches, commitments and achievements highlighted by several stakeholders not only showed the hard work to fight these diseases affecting the most vulnerable, poor and marginalized populations but also the achievements attained thus far.
So what are Neglected Tropical Diseases or NTDs (in short)? WHO defines NTDs as “ancient diseases of poverty that impose a devastating human, social and economic burden on more than 1 billion people worldwide, predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas among the most vulnerable, marginalized populations.”
In the coming weeks, various NTDs will be highlighted on this forum to bring awareness and ignite conversations on NTDs as the world strives to achieve the goals set in the 2021-2030 road map.
Please join the conversation, together we can say No to NTDs.