In News:

Current Global Progress

• As of May 2025, 56 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, aligned with WHO’s 2030 target (100 countries).
• Between Jan 2023 – May 2025, 17 countries were officially acknowledged by WHO for NTD elimination.
• World NTD Day: Observed annually on 30th January.

What Are NTDs?

• NTDs are a group of infectious diseases affecting over 1 billion people, mainly in tropical and poor regions.
• Caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, or toxins.
• Common NTDs include:
  • Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
  • Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Soil-transmitted helminths
  • Trachoma, Dengue, Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)

Impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) Cuts  

• Major donors like the US and UK have withdrawn NTD funding:
  • USAID previously provided US$ 1.4 billion, supporting 3.3 billion treatments across 26 countries, helping 14 of them eliminate at least one NTD.
  • UK ended its ‘Ascend’ NTD programme in 2021.

WHO Warning:

• On 10 April 2025, WHO cautioned that over 70% of country offices reported health service disruptions due to ODA cuts.
• NTD services have been disrupted at levels similar to peak COVID-19.

Climate Change & Emerging Threats

• Climate change is worsening the NTD burden:
  • Dengue declared a Grade 3 Emergency in 2024:
    • 14 million cases, 10,000 deaths across 107 countries.
    • Geographical expansion of vector-borne NTDs continues.

Public-Private Partnerships

• Pharma companies have donated US$ 12 billion+ worth of drugs (2011–2025), including: GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, Merck, Bayer, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, among others.

Recent Global Action

• At the 78th World Health Assembly (May 2025):
  • Two NTD-related resolutions adopted:
    1. Eradication of Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm)
    2. Control of Skin-related NTDs

Way Forward

• Strengthen nationally owned, sustainable NTD programmes.
• Ensure alternative funding and service delivery mechanisms.
• Prevent reversal of hard-won gains and protect vulnerable communities from deeper health inequities.