The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that 63 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD), up from 42 at the end of 2020. This development represents significant progress in global efforts to control and eliminate diseases that disproportionately affect the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities. According to the WHO's Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026, the number of people requiring interventions against NTDs fell to 1.41 billion in 2024, representing a 36 per cent reduction since 2010.
The report highlights major improvements in controlling some diseases, including a 98 per cent decline in cases of sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis, since 1999. Guinea worm disease recorded just 10 human cases in 2025, its lowest level on record. However, WHO warns that sustaining the progress will require stronger government commitment, increased domestic financing, and continued support from international development partners. The organisation cautions that the gains made over the years could be reversed without sustained investment and stronger health systems.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the elimination of neglected tropical diseases as a major success story in global health. However, he emphasised that countries and partners must step up, not step back, by increasing domestic financing, sustaining external support, and integrating NTD services into primary health care. The goal is not only to eliminate diseases but to free communities from disability, disfigurement, death, and generational poverty.
The report identifies advances in science and medicine that are providing new opportunities to prevent and treat neglected tropical diseases. Among these developments is the WHO prequalification of child-friendly praziquantel to treat schistosomiasis. Other advances include the availability of generic miltefosine for leishmaniasis and a dengue vaccine. In addition, two chikungunya vaccines and new medicines for onchocerciasis and human African trypanosomiasis have received regulatory approval.
Despite the progress made, the report highlights areas where global efforts are falling behind. Dengue cases reached a record 15.1 million in 2024, while deaths from vector-borne neglected tropical diseases have increased. Efforts to eradicate yaws are also off track. The report finds that only three disease-specific indicators met their 2025 milestones, underscoring the difficulty of achieving targets set under the 2021–2030 road map.
One major concern highlighted in the report is the continued dependence of neglected tropical disease programmes on international development assistance. Between 2018 and 2024, a small number of donors provided nearly 80 per cent of international development assistance for NTDs. WHO warns that this concentration has made programmes particularly vulnerable to sudden reductions in financial support, which has affected mass treatment campaigns, case management, disease surveillance, and vector control activities.
With five years remaining before the 2030 deadline, WHO is calling on countries and development partners to accelerate efforts to protect the progress already achieved and address persistent gaps. The organisation recommends that countries increase domestic financing and incorporate NTD interventions into universal health coverage and primary health care. By doing so, countries can make their NTD programmes more sustainable and ensure that the progress made is not reversed.
Key points
- WHO reports 63 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
- Progress made could be reversed without sustained investment and stronger health systems.
- WHO calls for accelerated action before 2030 to protect progress and address persistent gaps.
