<p><span style="background-color:transparent;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">Today, delegates attending the virtual
session of the Seventy-third World Health Assembly overwhelmingly
endorsed the new road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) for
2021−2030.</span></p><div id="content"><div id="primary"><p><em>Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030</em> sets out global targets and actions to align and re-focus the work of countries, partners and stakeholders during
the next decade, including cross-cutting targets aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. </p><p>Several countries and non-state actors spoke of the importance of tackling NTDs, strengthening public health care and of expressed their support for the new road map.</p><div><p>“<em>We
now have the consensus and the commitment of every country to work in
an integrated, cross-cutting manner in tackling all the neglected
tropical diseases</em>” said Dr Ren Minghui, WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases. “<em>To do so effectively, and
as drivers and beneficiaries, countries must change towards greater ownership of programmes. Smarter
investments and high-level political commitment are required to reduce the
social impact and economic consequences imposed by these diseases</em><em>.</em>”</p><div></div></div><p>The road map, developed through an extensive global consultation, encourages a fundamental shift in approach from vertical disease programmes to cross-cutting approaches based on the needs of patients and communities.</p><div><p><em>“The
new road map addresses critical gaps across multiple diseases,
integrates and mainstreams approaches within national health systems and
coordinates action across sectors,</em>” said Dr Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela, Director, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. “<em>It also provides us with opportunities to evaluate, assess and adjust programmatic actions as needed over the next decade.</em>”</p><div></div></div><h4>2030 road map targets</h4><p>The road map sets global targets and milestone to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and disease groups. By shifting away from single-disease vertical programmes to integrated approaches, it aims to
promote improved coordination and collaboration. Another distinct feature is to drive greater ownership by national and local governments, including communities. The overarching 2030 global targets are to: </p><ul><li>reduce by 90% the number of people requiring treatment for NTDs
</li><li>eliminate at least one NTD in 100 countries
</li><li>eradicate two diseases (dracunculiasis and yaws)
</li><li>reduce by 75% the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to NTDs</li></ul><p>The road map’s cross-cutting and other targets can be consulted <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-UCN-NTD-2020.01">here</a>.
</p><p>The new road map replaces the first one published in 2012 and despite progress over the past eight years, many of the targets will not be achieved. The new road map will advance the NTD agenda, with opportunities to stimulate efforts through comprehensive
approaches that require multisectoral collaboration. </p></div></div><p> </p>
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