World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2026 | WHO

Pretoria—World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day supplies an vital alternative to reaffirm our collective dedication to ending ailments that proceed to have an effect on essentially the most weak and marginalized communities. NTD are preventable, treatable and, in lots of circumstances, totally eliminable. Yet globally they nonetheless have an effect on multiple billion individuals, imposing an unacceptable burden of sickness, incapacity, stigma and misplaced alternative.

Encouragingly, progress has been substantial. By early 2026, 58 nations had eradicated at the very least one uncared for tropical illness and the variety of individuals requiring NTD interventions has declined by multiple third since 2010.

South Africa has been an vital contributor to this international progress. Through sustained investments in public well being infrastructure, illness surveillance and first well being care, the nation has made notable advances within the management and elimination of a number of NTDs, together with leprosy, rabies, soil-transmitted helminth infections and schistosomiasis in focused settings. South Africa’s expertise illustrates the worth of sturdy home management, intersectoral collaboration and evidence-informed coverage in tackling ailments of poverty.

However, the work just isn’t completed. Persistent inequities, local weather change, inhabitants mobility, and social determinants similar to insufficient water, sanitation and hygiene proceed to form NTD danger in South Africa and throughout the area. At the identical time, uncared for tropical ailments stay among the many most underfunded areas of worldwide well being.

World NTD Day 2026, below the theme “Unite. Act. Eliminate.” calls on us to reply decisively to those challenges.

Unite—by strengthening nation management and partnerships. In South Africa, continued prioritization of NTDs inside nationwide and provincial well being plans, supported by sustainable home financing, shall be important to guard good points and speed up elimination.

Act—by integrating NTD providers into people-centred well being techniques. NTD prevention, prognosis, therapy and long-term care should be embedded inside major well being care and common well being protection efforts. Equally vital is elevating neighborhood voices and lived expertise. People affected by NTDs should be on the centre of decision-making to make sure programmes are dignified, efficient and sustainable.

Eliminate—by investing in confirmed options and innovation. Low-cost interventions similar to preventive chemotherapy ship extraordinary returns, producing an estimated US$ 25 in financial advantages for each US$ 1 invested. Investing in NTD elimination just isn’t solely an ethical crucial; it’s a sensible funding in well being safety, fairness and financial growth.

WHO stays totally dedicated to supporting South Africa on this effort. We will proceed to offer technical steering, strengthen surveillance and knowledge techniques, help integration inside well being providers, and convene companions to advance the targets of the WHO NTD Roadmap 2021–2030. Achieving the worldwide goal of eliminating NTDs in 100 nations by 2030 is formidable, however it’s achievable if we act collectively.

On this World NTD Day, allow us to have a good time the progress made, renew our political and monetary dedication and speed up motion to make sure that NTDs now not maintain again the well being, dignity and growth of individuals in South Africa and around the globe.

Together, we will unite, act and get rid of NTDs—leaving nobody behind.

Message from Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO Representative in South Africa