Category: Global Health & Development
Date: October 22, 2025
Published by: Yarima.org Editorial Health Team
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2025, showing steady global progress in the fight against diseases that have long affected the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.
Despite challenges such as reduced funding and limited access to water and sanitation, many countries continue to make measurable strides toward eliminating these preventable illnesses.
🌍 Major Achievements
The report highlights several encouraging global milestones:
✅ Fewer people need treatment: In 2023, about 1.495 billion people required interventions against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) — 122 million fewer than the year before and 32% lower than in 2010.
✅ Lower disease burden: Between 2015 and 2021, deaths from NTDs fell from 139,000 to 119,000, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) dropped from 17.2 million to 14.1 million.
✅ More people receiving care: In 2023, 867 million people were treated for at least one NTD — 18 million more than in 2022.
✅ Countries achieving elimination: In 2024, seven countries were officially recognized by WHO for eliminating at least one NTD.
✅ New treatments and vaccines: WHO prequalified six new medicine formulations, one active ingredient, and a new dengue vaccine — marking major steps in innovation and access.
✅ Massive medicine donations: Since 2011, nearly 30 billion tablets and vials have been delivered to affected countries, including 1.8 billion in 2024 alone.
🤝 Collaboration & Sustainability
WHO celebrates 20 years of uniting global partners — from governments and pharmaceutical companies to NGOs and community health workers — under one coordinated NTD programme.
In 2024, partnerships with Gavi (for rabies vaccine access) and the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund were renewed, while 14 African nations developed sustainability plans to keep NTD care strong and community-based.
⚠️ Remaining Challenges
While progress continues, several gaps remain:
- Slow reduction in deaths from vector-borne diseases (such as dengue and leishmaniasis)
- Limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Incomplete data reporting and lack of gender-based information
- Funding shortages: Development assistance dropped by 41% between 2018 and 2023, threatening the pace of progress
The WHO stresses the urgent need for stronger national funding, cross-sector collaboration, and sustained community engagement to meet the 2030 elimination goals.
💡 Why It Matters
Neglected tropical diseases — such as trachoma, leprosy, river blindness, and dengue — still affect over 1 billion people worldwide, causing preventable suffering, disability, and poverty.
Continued global cooperation, research, and local health action are key to breaking the cycle — ensuring that no one is left behind.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2025
Published by: Yarima.org Editorial Health Team