The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2025, the third report monitoring progress toward the 2030 targets outlined in the WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 2021–2030. The report provides a comprehensive overview of achievements and challenges across all six WHO regions, highlighting the efforts of national programs, development partners, and the broader NTD community in reducing the burden of these diseases. Dr. Daniel Ngamije Madandi, WHO Director a.i. for Malaria and NTDs, noted that despite multiple challenges, global NTD programs continue to deliver significant results, improving the lives of millions of people worldwide.
This year marks two decades since WHO consolidated disease-specific activities under a single program for all NTDs, fostering collaboration between pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners, national authorities, and WHO. The coordinated approach has contributed to a measurable decline in global NTD burdens. In 2023, approximately 1.495 billion people required NTD interventions, 122 million fewer than in 2022, representing a 32% decrease from the 2010 baseline. Between 2015 and 2021, the global disease burden fell from 17.2 million to 14.1 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and NTD-related deaths decreased from 139,000 to 119,000. The number of people affected by NTDs dropped from 1.9 billion in 1990 to just over 1 billion in 2021.
Treatment coverage continues to expand, with 867.1 million people treated for at least one NTD in 2023, an increase of 18 million compared with the previous year. In 2024, WHO recognized seven countries for eliminating an NTD. Cross-cutting progress includes greater integration of preventive chemotherapy, adoption of integrated strategies for skin-related NTDs, inclusion of NTDs in national health strategies and essential service packages, and broader implementation of disability management guidelines. The report also highlights research and innovation milestones, including six new prequalified medicine formulations, one active pharmaceutical ingredient, and a new dengue vaccine.
WHO emphasized the importance of medicines and other health products, noting that by the end of 2024, 19 types of NTD medicines were donated by 12 manufacturers, with 1.8 billion tablets and vials delivered in 2024 alone. The organization also facilitated the procurement of over 1 million diagnostic tests for five NTDs. Advocacy efforts remain strong, with NTDs featured in global forums such as the UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council, G7, and G20, and partnerships established with Gavi and the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund. By 2024, 14 African countries had developed national plans to strengthen the sustainability of NTD service delivery.
Despite progress, the report identifies persistent challenges, including slow reductions in vector-borne disease deaths, limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and ongoing financial gaps, with official development assistance decreasing by 41% between 2018 and 2023. Gaps also remain in ensuring complete data reporting and collecting gender-disaggregated information. The qualitative assessment highlighted priority needs across diagnostics, monitoring and evaluation, access and logistics, and advocacy and funding. The report underscores the need for strategic prioritization, domestic resource mobilization, and targeted interventions to sustain and accelerate progress toward the 2030 NTD goals.
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