As the world marks World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2026, the World Health Organization has renewed its call for stronger investment and country-led action to end neglected tropical diseases by 2030, warning that recent funding cuts threaten to slow or reverse progress already made.
In a statement released to mark the day, WHO said neglected tropical diseases continue to affect about 1.5 billion people worldwide, with Africa carrying close to 40 percent of the global burden. The diseases mainly affect poor and underserved communities, often causing long-term suffering.
“Yet these diseases are preventable, treatable, and can be eliminated, many people living with these diseases face lifelong consequences – including disfigurement, blindness and chronic pain,” WHO said.
Over the past decade, countries have made steady progress in tackling the diseases. By early 2026, a total of 58 countries had eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, moving closer to WHO’s global goal of 100 countries achieving elimination by 2030.
WHO data shows that in 2024, about 1.4 billion people required treatment or other interventions for neglected tropical diseases. This marked a 36 percent drop from 2010, reflecting the impact of coordinated global action and expanded access to treatment.
However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that these gains are now under threat due to sharp reductions in official development assistance for global health.
“Proven, low-cost tools exist, such as preventive chemotherapy—which delivers an estimated $25 in economic benefits for every $1 invested—yet NTDs remain among the most underfunded areas in global health,” he said.
WHO said funding for neglected tropical diseases fell by 41 percent between 2018 and 2023, raising concerns that progress in affected communities could stall or be reversed.
On this year’s World NTD Day, the organization is urging countries to take stronger ownership of their national programs by increasing domestic financing, improving systems, and investing in better tools and partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability.
“We must answer the call to unite, act, and eliminate NTDs, building a safer and more resilient world for everyone,” Dr. Tedros said.
WHO continues to play a key role in the global response by setting standards and strategies, supporting countries to overcome technical challenges, and guiding efforts to meet the 2030 targets for control, elimination, and eradication.
Dr. Tedros also called on global partners to meet their pledges, support new financing models, and adopt fresh approaches, while recognizing progress led by countries and promoting innovation in diagnosis and treatment.
Neglected tropical diseases include conditions such as Chikungunya, Dengue, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, Rabies, Schistosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, Trachoma, and others.
Despite affecting more than a billion people, these diseases remain among the least funded health challenges worldwide, underscoring the need for renewed attention, leadership, and resources to meet the 2030 elimination goal.
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed every year on 30 January.
