News Articles and Blog Posts

Strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration to #beatNTDs: lessons from Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda

In 2023, the World Health Organization and Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network published a second edition of WASH and health working together: a ‘how-to’ guide for neglected tropical disease programmes. This blog post present experiences from three countries, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, which have taken proactive steps to adopt the WASH/NTD toolkit to improve cross sector action.

16 Aug 2024

From Words to Action: Introducing the NTD Inclusion Score Card (NISC)

The NISC assesses inclusion in NTD organisations in seven essential domains: Governance, Programme Management, Human Resources, Financial Resources, Accessibility, External Relations, and Communication.

Preventing pandemics through everyday health systems

New infectious diseases with pandemic potential are likely to become more common; measures to prevent their spread should be incorporated into routine health planning.

17 May 2023

Announcing the new NNN Vice-Chair 2023-2024

Delighted to welcome Mr. Gillbert Baayenda from The Fred Hollows Foundation as our new Vice-Chair.

WHO Launch of the Strategic Framework for Integrated Control and Management of Skin-Related NTDs

This strategic framework is a companion document to the road map that was developed in response to the critical actions identified to reach the 2030 targets. It was written in collaboration with a group of independent experts through an extensive global consultation.

Dr Malecela at the NNN 2019 in Liverpool

Tribute to Dr Mwele Ntuli Malecela

The NNN community is devastated by the passing of Dr Mwele Ntuli Malecela, Director of the Department of NTDs at WHO. Dr Malecela was a source of strength, inspiration, and motivation for legions of public health practitioners working to eliminate NTDs.

15 Feb 2022

World NTD Day 2022

30 January 2022 is the third annual World NTD Day. Adopted at the 74th World Health Assembly, this day recognises that NTDs are widespread in the world’s poorest regions, where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are substandard - they affect over 1 billion people globally.

Blog | Putting the H back in Health – why hygiene matters for NTDs

Global Handwashing Day serves as an important reminder for NTD stakeholders to place hygiene at the heart of efforts to build a healthier, dignified and more equitable society.

15 Oct 2021

Update | NNN Statement of Commitment to Hand Hygiene For All 2021

NNN's commitment to hand hygiene for all stands on three pillars: political leadership; ensuring an enabling environment for WASH and NTD collaboration; and sustainable, inclusive programming at scale. In this statement, the NNN also issues calls to action to NTD-endemic countries, NTD development partners, and the World Health Organization.

From strategy to accountability: monitoring progress on WASH actions to combat NTDs

The renewed global strategy on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to combat NTDs has a vision of accelerated and sustained achievement of the NTD road map targets, particularly among the poorest and most vulnerable, through better-targeted and joint WASH and NTD efforts. But how do we get from strategy to accountability and monitor progress on WASH to combat NTDs?

NTD NGO Network statement in response to UK aid cuts

The NNN is deeply concerned by the United Kingdom Government’s decision to make significant cuts to funding for global health and development initiatives, including investments in the control, elimination, and eradication of NTDs.

World NTD Day 2021: accelerating progress through partnerships

The NTD NGO Network (NNN) celebrates the second annual World NTD Day. Today, we take stock of the contributions and commitments made by our global community of 85 members, which can and will take the ambitions of the new road map forward. We also reflect on what else will be needed to sustain and accelerate progress toward 2030, and the role of our NGO community to support these ends.

An Eye to 2030: Making NTD Gains in Kenya Through WASH

On World Water Day 2021 (22 March), the World Health Organization officially released its 2021-2030 Global Strategy on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). To mark the launch of the Strategy, Global Water 2020’s Stephen Hilton, on behalf of the NTD NGO Network’s (NNN) WASH Working Group, caught up with Dr. Sultani Hadley Matendechero, Director of Kenya’s Division of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Ministry of Health.

One Health for the WHO NTD road map

The new WHO NTD road map 2021-2030 recognises the importance of a cross sectoral strategy. Recently, the WHO invited the NNN One Health Group’s Chair, Wendy Harrison, to speak at their webinar “Optimizing One Health and the Global Vector Control Response to reach the 2030 NTD road map goals”. Below is a summary of Wendy’s discussion on the role of NGOs and local communities in implementing One Health.

Global Handwashing Day Interview with NNN Vice-Chair, Arielle Dolegui

For Global Handwashing Day 2020, NNN WASH Working Group Chair and Director of Policy and Communications at the SCI Foundation, Yael Velleman, interviewed Arielle for her insights on the challenges and opportunities for coordinated programming, as well as the role of the NNN in driving this work forward and at scale as to realize hand hygiene for all.

NNN Statement of commitment to hand hygiene for all

The NNN's commitment to hand hygiene for all stands on three pillars: political leadership; ensuring an enabling environment for WASH and NTD collaboration; and sustainable, inclusive programming at scale. In this statement, the NNN also issues calls to action to NTD-endemic countries, NTD development partners, and the World Health Organization.

NNN 2020 annual conference champions inclusive, sustainable and resilient health systems to achieve global NTD goals and health for all

The 11th annual Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network (NNN) conference highlighted the importance of people-centred, comprehensive health programmes that strengthen health systems and promote resilience to weather the public health crisis of COVID-19 and future health crises that impact communities affected by NTDs.

2020 NTD Innovation Prize Winners Announced

American Leprosy Missions announced the winners of the 2020 NTD Innovation Prize on 10 September 2020, during the closing session of the virtual 11th NTD NGO Network Conference. This year's awards were offered in partnership with Novartis.

Are you interested in resilience and sustainability? Then join the September NNN 2020 annual conference!

Resilience and sustainability – of health systems and beyond – have never been more relevant. This year’s annual Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network (NNN) conference, “Accelerating to 2030: Building Resilient NTD Programmes in a Changing World”, will tackle these themes head on.

NNN Statement in Support of the World Health Organization in the Context of COVID-19

The NTD NGO Network (NNN) wishes to demonstrate its full support with the World Health Organization (WHO) and express its deep concern over the United States Government’s decision to withdraw funding from WHO.

“Building Back Better” After COVID-19: An Opportunity to Enhance Our Programmes

This pandemic has had devastating impacts on so many of us but has also challenged our assumptions and provided important lessons that can help improve our work.

16 Jun 2020

Transform Your Idea into a Life-Changing Project to Help Beat NTDs

The Ascend West and Central Africa programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), is excited to announce a new learning and innovation fund to accelerate the control and elimination efforts for up to five neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) – lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths and trachoma.

International Woman’s Day Q&A with Dr Nebe Obiageli, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria

Dr Nebe Obiageli is the Coordinator of the National Deworming Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria.

Why 2020 is Shaping Up to be the "Year of NTDs"

In celebration of the inaugural World NTD Day (30 January 2020), Yaobi Zhang, Chair of NNN, speaks on the decisive year ahead in the fight against neglected tropical diseases, including: a global NTD summit in Kigali, Rwanda; the release of the WHO NTD Roadmap for 2021-2030; an updated WHO Global Strategy on WASH & NTDs; the 11th Annual NNN Conference; and more.

WASH and Health working together how-to guide front cover

Can a Toolkit Make a Difference to WASH and NTDs Collaboration?

One year on from the launch of the first-ever practical guide on WASH and NTDs collaboration, the co-chairs of the NNN WASH Working Group reflect on its impact.

Gilbert Baayenda, Ugandan Ministry of Health’s National Program Officer for Trachoma Control

Harnessing the Power of WASH in the Fight Against NTDs

Yael Velleman of the NNN WASH Working Group recently sat down with Gilbert Baayenda, the Ugandan Ministry of Health’s National Program Officer for Trachoma Control, to discuss the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration.

Crossing the Finish Line: Sustaining Behavior Change for the Prevention and Elimination of NTDs

Eradicating neglected tropical diseases and preventing their reemergence cannot be accomplished without sustained behavior change. Water, sanitation and hygiene programmes are a major focus of behavior change, but access to these alone is not enough. We must do more as a community on the road to 2030.

Many Partners, One Voice: Strengthening Collaboration Within the NTD Community

At this year’s 2019 NNN conference, hosted in Liverpool, UK, we look forward to celebrating ten years of collaboration and partnership that have contributed to the many successes over the past decade as well as continuing to share experiences through an exciting and diverse programme.

An Interview with Dr. Wendy Harrison, the Executive Director of the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative

Dr. Wendy Harrison recently spoke to Francis Peel from the London Centre for NTD Research about the relationship between academia and NTD community and the growing demand for cross-disciplinary research.

With an eye on sustainability, NNN focuses on improving collaboration via cross-cutting working groups

The NNN encompasses multiple NTD cross-cutting working groups with the goal of developing key technical resources to share among the NTD community.

Collaboration on water, sanitation and hygiene for disease control is possible – here is how

Intersectoral collaboration is a familiar challenge in all areas of development, and the challenge is often exacerbated in public health programmes.

How the NNN is bringing sectors together to beat NTDs and achieve health for all

NNN Executive Committee members Leah Wohlgemuth (Sightsavers) and Prof KH Martin Kollmann (CBM) set out how the BEST framework moves away from mass-treatment focused medical approaches and integrates the broader causes and social effects of NTDs

Reaching the unreached: the critical role of NGOs in beating NTDs

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are uniquely placed to reach the world’s least-served populations and therefore play a critical role in working with governments towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC).

No Child Disabled by Leprosy! World Leprosy Day 2018 and the BEST Framework

On the 28th January 2018, the NNN community recognises World Leprosy Day. This year, the awareness day’s focus is on preventing leprosy related disabilities in young girls and boys.

Empowering communities to make their own difference

Picture the scene. There’s a knock at the door - it’s your neighbour. He’s holding a long colourfully painted stick and a notebook and he’s asking you to stand still while he measures you so he can give you the correct dose of a drug he’s carrying. Would you take it?

Fighting neglected tropical diseases: The case for participation and human rights based approaches

NTD programs can be viewed as an investment in the poorest and most marginalized communities and a critical step towards reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

African Union Summit and African Leaders Malaria Alliance launch new NTD index: Where do we go from here?

This year's annual African Union Summit was an important and historic milestone for the neglected tropical disease community

Women and men must benefit equally from leprosy efforts

From some sources it has seemed that men are more commonly affected by leprosy than women. There is now evidence to show that this is far from the case and that, in fact, there is near parity in the rates of affected women and men; but why the confusion?

Best Foot Forward: Eliminating a Neglected Tropical Disease

A three-minute animated video, “Best Foot Forward,” depicts the source, treatment and prevention of podoconiosis. A form of elephantiasis or swelling of the lower leg triggered by prolonged exposure to irritant minerals in red clay soils.