WHO hails progress against neglected tropical diseases
The World Health Organization on Wednesday celebrated "major progress" against neglected tropical diseases, with some like sleeping sickness all but disappearing, but urged more investment and faster and broader action.
The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated significant progress in combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) on Wednesday. While some NTDs, such as sleeping sickness, have seen substantial reductions, the organization urged for more investment and broadened action. NTDs are primarily found in poorer tropical regions, including diseases like dengue, leprosy, and rabies.
According to a new WHO report, the number of countries eliminating at least one NTD has increased, and the number of people requiring treatment for these diseases has fallen by over a third from 2010 to 2024, reaching 1.41 billion. Sleeping sickness cases dropped by 98% since 1999, and guinea worm disease reached a record low of just 10 human cases in 2024.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed this as one of the standout success stories in global health but cautioned that the gains could be easily lost. The WHO highlighted advancements in scientific tools, such as a vaccine for dengue, but noted that dengue cases reached a record 15.1 million in 2024, and deaths from vector-borne NTDs have risen.
International development assistance for NTDs remains concentrated among a few donors, accounting for nearly 80% of all aid between 2018 and 2024. This concentration leaves the sector vulnerable to cuts in global aid since the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO emphasized the need for increased domestic financing, integration of NTD services into primary healthcare, and broader donor support to ensure sustained financing and diversify funding sources.
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