Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs):

• Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of conditions caused by a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. 
• NTDs are mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas, although some have a much larger geographical distribution. 
• It is estimated that NTDs affect more than 1 billion people, while the number of people requiring NTD interventions (both preventive and curative) is 1.6 billion.

The majority of NTDs occur in the tropics and subtropics and have particular characteristics in common:

• They afflict the poorest people – those without access to the safe water, sanitation, and basic health services required to protect themselves against infection by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. High-income groups are rarely affected.
• Many are chronic, slowly developing conditions that become progressively worse if undetected and untreated. The damage they cause can be irreversible.
• They can cause severe pain and life-long disabilities, with long-term consequences for the person and also for family members who have to care for the person.

The infectious agents responsible for some NTDs include:

• viruses (rabies and dengue)
• bacteria (leprosy, yaws, trachoma and Buruli ulcer)
• protozoa (leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis)
• helminth parasites (schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, intestinal worms and Guinea worm)
  

Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030:

• Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021−2030 was endorsed by the Seventy-third World Health Assembly in November 2020.
• The road map sets global targets and milestones to prevent, control, eliminate or eradicate 20 diseases and disease groups as well as overarching and cross-cutting targets aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Overarching global targets for 2030:

The overarching global targets for 2030 are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work:

• 90% fewer people requiring interventions against NTDs
• 75% fewer NTD-related DALYs
• 100 countries achieving elimination of at least 1 NTD
• Eradication of 2 NTDs – dracunculiasis and yaws

Cross-cutting targets for 2030:

The road map aims to renew momentum, proposes strategies that intersect multiple diseases, and advances actions focused on integrated platforms for the delivery of interventions. Consequently, a set of cross-cutting targets has been devised to measure progress in four areas:

• Integrated approaches
  • Reduce deaths from vector-borne diseases by 75%
  • Achieve 75% integrated treatment coverage index for preventive chemotherapy
  • 40 countries adopting skin NTD strategies
• Multisectoral coordination
  • Ensure 100% access to basic water supply, sanitation and hygiene in NTD-endemic areas
  • Get 90% of countries integrating NTDs in national strategic plans
  • Protect at least 90% of the population from catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditures due to NTDs
• Universal health coverage
  • Get 90% of countries including NTD interventions in their package of essential health services and budgeting for them
  • Ensure that 90% of countries have guidelines for management of NTD-related disabilities within national health systems
• Country ownership
  • Ensure that 90% of countries report on all relevant NTDs 
  • Ensure that 90% of countries collect and report NTD data disaggregated by gender

Three foundational pillars will support global efforts to achieve the targets: 

• accelerate programmatic action (pillar 1)
• intensify cross-cutting approaches (pillar 2)
• change operating models and culture to facilitate country ownership (pillar 3).