On World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, Sightsavers celebrates the hard-earned progress in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and calls on the global community to work together to eliminate them.

The fight against neglected tropical diseases is a fight against inequality. This group of 21 infectious diseases affect more than a billion people in low and middle income countries, mainly in rural regions, poor urban areas and conflict zones.

These diseases stop children from learning in school and adults from earning a living – helping to drive a continuous cycle of poverty. However, effective, affordable solutions exist to treat and prevent them.

In the past decade, Sightsavers has supported significant advancements made in the fight against NTDs. But we need to go further. In 2025, we need to unite, take action and eliminate these diseases.

The impact of eliminating NTDs

Neglected tropical diseases cause pain and disfigurement and in some cases, can lead to permanent disability. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that NTDs cause households to lose more than $33 billion every year. But treating and preventing them is cost-effective: NTD interventions are one of the ‘best buys’ in global public health.

We’ve seen the incredible ripple effect that our NTD programmes have on individuals, communities and economies. The long-term impacts of eliminating NTDs, such as river blindness and trachoma, include improved work, education, health and wellbeing (including mental health) outcomes.

WHO has set a target for 2030 to reduce the number of people at risk from NTDs by 90%. We have just five years to reach this target. But right now there’s a major shortfall in the funds needed to get us there. Without further investment, we risk condemning millions of people to the pain, economic hardship and stigma of NTDs. The time is now: we need to unite, act and eliminate NTDs.