WHO calls for increased domestic funding to accelerate neglected tropical disease elimination by 2030
The number of people requiring NTD interventions fell to 1.41 billion in 2024, representing a 36% decline from 2010 and a 19% reduction from 2020.
SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported progress in eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with 63 countries having eliminated at least one disease by June 2026, up from 42 at the end of 2020.
According to WHO’s Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026, which assesses progress towards the 2021–2030 NTD road map, fewer people now require treatment, although significant gaps in disease control and funding remain.
The number of people requiring NTD interventions fell to 1.41 billion in 2024, representing a 36% decline from 2010 and a 19% reduction from 2020.
Meanwhile, cases of human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, have dropped by 98% since 1999, while Guinea worm disease reached a record low of 10 human cases in 2025.
“Elimination of neglected tropical diseases is one of the standout success stories of global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
However, he warned that these gains could be reversed without sustained investment.
He called on governments and partners to increase domestic financing, maintain external support and integrate NTD services into primary healthcare systems.
He also stressed the need to address the disability, disfigurement, deaths and poverty associated with these diseases.
New treatments and vaccines expand disease control options
Scientific advances are expanding the tools available to prevent and treat NTDs.
These include WHO-prequalified arpraziquantel, a child-friendly treatment for schistosomiasis, generic miltefosine for leishmaniasis and a dengue vaccine.
Two chikungunya vaccines and new medicines for onchocerciasis and human African trypanosomiasis have also received regulatory approval.
Despite these developments, progress remains uneven.
Dengue cases reached a record 15.1 million in 2024, while deaths from vector-borne NTDs increased.
Efforts to eradicate yaws are also behind schedule, and only three disease-specific indicators achieved their 2025 milestones.
WHO also identified gaps in comprehensive and timely disease reporting, particularly data disaggregated by gender, as an obstacle to monitoring progress and directing interventions towards affected populations.
Funding constraints threaten treatment and surveillance programmes
Financing remains a major challenge. Between 2018 and 2024, nearly 80% of international development assistance for NTDs came from a small group of donors, leaving programmes vulnerable to sudden funding reductions.
These cuts have disrupted mass drug administration, case management, disease surveillance and vector control activities.
They have also increased the risk of donated medicines expiring before distribution.
Overall, resources available for NTD programmes remain 30% below pre-pandemic levels, while dedicated funding for some interventions has nearly disappeared.
These funding constraints affect pharmaceutical manufacturers, medicine donation programmes, and public health agencies responsible for maintaining treatment supplies and disease surveillance.
Countries strengthen domestic NTD programmes
Some affected countries are responding by incorporating NTD interventions into national health strategies, essential healthcare packages and domestic budgets.
Governments are also improving efficiency by delivering interventions for multiple diseases through shared health services.
Adoption of WHO’s integrated skin NTD strategy has already exceeded its 2030 target, demonstrating growing interest in combining disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment within existing healthcare systems.
WHO is calling on affected countries to increase domestic financing, integrate NTD interventions into universal health coverage and adapt programmes to conflict settings and climate change.
It has also urged donors to broaden their support across different NTD interventions, while encouraging recipient countries to diversify funding sources and reduce dependence on a limited number of development partners.
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