World NTD Day 2025
On World NTD Day, we are reminded simultaneously of the remaining pain these diseases cause – affecting over 1 billion people worldwide, as well as the encouraging progress being made through coalitions of partners to eliminate them for good. Neglected tropical diseases cause significant pain to individuals and communities as well as hinder socio-economic development at a global scale. Studies show that every $1 invested in preventative chemotherapy NTDs generates approximately $25 in economic benefits for affected communities. Often referred to as “diseases of poverty”, the devastating reality is that NTDs can be prevented and treated. In recent years there has been an encouraging surge in global efforts to prioritise their elimination as well as control their impact. Through coordinated international initiatives, donated medicines, increased funding and innovative public health strategies, the global community is making significant strides towards a world free of NTDs.
2024 was a landmark year in the fight against NTDs, as seven countries eliminated one NTD and we surpassed the halfway mark of the World Health Organisation’s 100-country target set for 2030. In June, Chad became the 51st country to be recognised by WHO for eliminating an NTD when they eliminated the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness or HAT) as a public health problem. By the end of the year, 54 countries had successfully eliminated at least one NTD, with some achieving even more remarkable milestones (WHO NTD elimination map).
The past year also saw the passing of President Jimmy Carter, whose legacy includes the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, which recorded some of the lowest numbers of human infections to date with just 14 cases (pending confirmation by the end of March).
At CIFF, 2024 was a year of change, as we approved our new Mission to End 7 NTDs by 2030. The new mission reaffirms our efforts in the African continent, where we will continue to support programmes to control, eliminate or eradicate trachoma, lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis (river blindness), soil-transmitted helminths (STH), schistosomiasis (SCH), visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and Guinea worm disease.
As part of our mission, we are investing in integrating NTD programmes with national health systems, to ensure sustainability and accelerate the elimination goals. Our investment in Kenya has already led to increased government ownership, translating into funding of NTD services through the national Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which makes these services routine and free across public health facilities. Digitized NTD services have also made it possible for real-time reporting through the Health Information System (HIS) and decision-making by policymakers.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, there is much to be hopeful for. Only this week, the WHO announced the elimination of HAT in Guinea and onchocerciasis in Niger. Several African countries supported by the Accelerate programme (funded partly by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation), have also submitted their dossiers and are on track be certified for eliminating trachoma in 2025 and 2026.
With just 5 years remaining until 2030, the year when WHO aims for 100 countries to have eliminated at least one NTD, we must accelerate our efforts. There are still 45 countries to go, and we need to support them in reaching the last mile of their NTD journeys.
In the face of global uncertainty surrounding global development and health funding, it is crucial to rally existing and new partners, funders and endemic countries to ensure that progress is not lost and that we achieve our goals. Together we can continue to make strides towards a world free of neglected tropical diseases. Unite. Act. Eliminate.

A young child receiving schistosomiasis medicine during a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign in a school in N’dounga Tarey, Niger.

Medical worker supporting with Trachoma treatments in Koki, Senegal.