Neglected Tropical Diseases

Technical Approaches

Neglected Tropical Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over 1 billion people worldwide, with 1.6 billion requiring NTD preventative and curative interventions. This group of diseases primarily impacts those living in poverty, who lack access to basic hygiene and sanitation, with women and children disproportionately affected. 

Preventing, controlling and eliminating NTDs is critical, as they impact the achievement of most health and development indicators. NTDs reduce socioeconomic and educational attainment by inhibiting children from learning and developing to their full potential and preventing adults from working and supporting their families. NTDs also place a vast economic burden on communities due to productivity losses and strains on the health system. Furthermore, NTDs often lead to physical deformities along with disability, stigma, social isolation and shame.

IMA World Health has been working to address NTDs for more than 20 years in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. IMA World Health projects have targeted the five preventative chemotherapy NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis (known as River Blindness), trachoma, schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH). IMA World Health has also addressed visceral leishmaniasis (VL), commonly known as kala-azar, in endemic areas within South Sudan and, previously, in India. 

As a recognized leader in the prevention, control and elimination of NTDs, IMA World Health uses a combination of evidence-based strategies to design and scale-up NTD projects, in partnership with local governments and civil society partners. Following the NTD Road Map, IMA World Health’s NTD programming is moving the needle towards meeting the WHO’s 2030 control and elimination goals.

Download Now Jan 26, 2024