WHO Urges Community-Centered Approach and Climate Action in Fight Against NTDs

New Delhi: On World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, observed on January 30, Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the importance of prioritizing affected communities and integrating climate change mitigation efforts for a more effective fight against NTDs.

This year’s theme, “Unite. Act. Eliminate,” reflects the global commitment to tackling NTDs, which impact over 1.5 billion people, predominantly in vulnerable populations. “World NTD Day 2025 is an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to a healthier and more equitable future. We must unite for change, take decisive action, and eliminate the burden of NTDs,” Wazed stated.

NTDs comprise a group of diseases caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins. These diseases disproportionately affect marginalized communities and often remain overlooked in global health discussions, leading to stigma and social exclusion.

In the South-East Asia Region, 16 NTDs remain endemic, with at least one present in each of the 11 WHO Member States. However, significant strides have been made in eliminating these diseases over the past decade. Seven Member States have successfully eradicated at least one NTD, and in 2023 alone, more than 860 million individuals benefited from mass drug administration (MDA) and targeted interventions. MDA is a strategy that involves administering treatment to entire populations, regardless of disease status, to curb transmission.

Despite progress, several challenges persist, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, funding shortages, disparities in healthcare access, social determinants of health, limited innovation, geopolitical instability, and climate change. These factors continue to hinder progress, leaving 833 million people in the region still requiring NTD interventions.

Wazed emphasized the importance of empowering affected communities to address systemic inequalities and ensure inclusive healthcare. “Our fight against NTDs must focus on community empowerment and adapting to the realities of climate change,” she said. She stressed the need for person-centered approaches, community leadership, and integration with the One Health framework, which links human, animal, and environmental health to enhance resilience against climate change-induced vector-borne diseases.

She called for continued commitment and collective action from governments, healthcare organizations, and stakeholders to sustain the progress made in NTD elimination. By strengthening health systems, closing funding gaps, and adopting climate-sensitive strategies, the burden of NTDs can be significantly reduced, paving the way for a healthier, more equitable future.