30th January 2023 – World NTD Day
Act now. Act together. Invest in neglected tropical diseases
We want to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). To achieve this, we need sustainable financing for NTDs.
Investing in NTDs is a global health and development success story. So far, 46 countries have eliminated an NTD, showing progress is possible. In 2020, 600 million fewer people required interventions against NTDs than in 2010. Yet, for some time, a lack of resources has been seen as a significant barrier to the control, elimination, and eradication of NTDs. This challenge has only been intensified by COVID-19 which has caused severe delays and disruption to NTD programmes, as well as a massive repurposing and diversion of resources.
As recommended in the WHO case for investment in NTDs, concerted action and sustainable financing for NTDs is needed if we are to recover from COVID-19 disruptions and ensure we have sufficient resources to achieve the targets in the WHO 2030 NTD road map.
That is why, together and united, we will make the case for investment, and push for concerted action and financing on World NTD Day 2023.
This year, we invite you to:
ASK: Let’s make our voices heard. Ask governments, world leaders, and those in power to act now, act together and invest in neglected tropical diseases.
ACT: Everyone has a key role to play. By bringing renewed attention to NTDs, building political will and mobilising resources, and putting individuals and communities at the centre of the response, we can collectively generate the attention and resources needed to deliver against the targets outlined in the WHO 2030 NTD road map and SDG3. This includes eradicating two diseases, eliminating one disease in 100 countries, and decreasing the number of people requiring interventions for NTDs by 90%.
Find out how you can participate in the movement, read our Partners’ Playbook
AMPLIFY: The case for investment is clear. Investing in NTD programmes creates a ripple effect in society. It leads to better education, health, and employment outcomes, and transforms lives and communities. It also helps to reduce gender inequity, stigma, and preventable mortality and morbidity. Ending NTDs will make our health systems more resilient and our world a more equitable and safer place.
Tell the world why we need to invest in NTDs – and the huge benefits it can bring. Share our social media toolkit on World NTD Day – sign up to our newsletter to receive the toolkit in January.