WHO warns global fight against neglected tropical diseases remains fragile
A total of 63 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease by June 2026, up from 42 in 2020. However, record dengue infections, funding shortages and uneven progress threaten further gains, the World Health Organization says.
More countries achieve elimination milestones
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported significant progress in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with 63 countries having eliminated at least one of these diseases by June 2026.
In its latest report, assessing progress under the 2021-2030 NTD road map, the agency said the number of countries reaching at least one elimination target had increased from 42 in 2020 to 63 in June 2026.
The assessment also found that fewer people now require treatment or other health interventions. Their number fell to 1.41 billion in 2024, representing a 36% reduction compared with 2010.
Several diseases have recorded particularly significant improvements. Cases of sleeping sickness have declined by 98% since 1999, while Guinea worm disease reached a historic low of just 10 human cases in 2025.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the elimination of neglected tropical diseases as one of the major success stories in global health.
However, he warned that these achievements remain fragile and could be reversed without sustained funding and stronger integration of disease prevention and treatment into primary healthcare systems.
Record dengue infections raise concern
Despite progress against several diseases, the WHO highlighted major challenges that continue to undermine global efforts.
Dengue infections reached a record 15.1 million cases in 2024, underlining the scale of the continuing public health threat.
Efforts to eliminate yaws, another neglected tropical disease, are also falling behind schedule, according to the report.
The agency warned that progress remains uneven, with some countries making significant advances while others continue to face major obstacles in controlling and eliminating preventable diseases.
Funding remains 30% below pre-pandemic levels
Financial constraints represent one of the biggest threats to further progress.
According to the WHO, funding for neglected tropical disease programmes remains approximately 30% below pre-pandemic levels.
The report also found that nearly 80% of international development assistance for these programmes between 2018 and 2024 came from a relatively small group of donors, leaving disease control efforts vulnerable to sudden reductions in financial support.
The WHO is calling for increased domestic investment, broader international donor participation and stronger health systems to protect existing achievements.
The agency stressed that faster and more coordinated action will be essential to meet global disease elimination targets by 2030 and prevent millions of people from remaining at risk.
Source:AA
