• DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
  • Our work
    • Diseases
      • Sleeping sickness
      • Visceral leishmaniasis
      • Cutaneous leishmaniasis
      • Chagas disease
      • Filaria: river blindness
      • Mycetoma
      • Paediatric HIV
      • Cryptococcal meningitis
      • Hepatitis C
      • Dengue
      • COVID-19
      • Antimicrobial resistance
    • Research & development
      • R&D portfolio & list of projects
      • Drug discovery
      • Translational research
      • Clinical trials
      • Registration & access
      • Treatments delivered
    • Advocacy
      • Open and collaborative R&D
      • Transparency of R&D costs
      • Pro-access policies and IP
      • Children’s health
      • Gender equity
      • Climate change
      • AI and new technologies
  • Networks & partners
    • Partnerships
      • Our partners
      • Partnering with us
    • Global networks
      • Chagas Platform
      • Dengue Alliance
      • HAT Platform
      • HELP Helminth Elimination Platform
      • LEAP Platform
      • redeLEISH Network
    • DNDi worldwide
      • DNDi Switzerland
      • DNDi DRC
      • DNDi Eastern Africa
      • DNDi Japan
      • DNDi Latin America
      • DNDi North America
      • DNDi South Asia
      • DNDi South-East Asia
      • DNDi Southern Africa
  • News & resources
    • News & stories
      • News
      • Stories
      • Statements
      • Viewpoints
      • Social media
      • eNews Newsletter
    • Press
      • Press releases
      • In the media
    • Resources
      • Scientific articles
      • Our publications
      • Videos
    • Events
  • About us
    • About
      • Who we are
      • How we work
      • Our strategy
      • Our donors
      • Annual reports
    • Our people
      • Our leadership
      • Our governance
      • Contact us
    • Work with us
      • Working at DNDi
      • Job opportunities
      • Requests for proposal
  • Donate
DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
  • DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
  • Our work
    • Diseases
      • Sleeping sickness
      • Visceral leishmaniasis
      • Cutaneous leishmaniasis
      • Chagas disease
      • Filaria: river blindness
      • Mycetoma
      • Paediatric HIV
      • Cryptococcal meningitis
      • Hepatitis C
      • Dengue
      • COVID-19
      • Antimicrobial resistance
    • Research & development
      • R&D portfolio & list of projects
      • Drug discovery
      • Translational research
      • Clinical trials
      • Registration & access
      • Treatments delivered
    • Advocacy
      • Open and collaborative R&D
      • Transparency of R&D costs
      • Pro-access policies and IP
      • Children’s health
      • Gender equity
      • Climate change
      • AI and new technologies
  • Networks & partners
    • Partnerships
      • Our partners
      • Partnering with us
    • Global networks
      • Chagas Platform
      • Dengue Alliance
      • HAT Platform
      • HELP Helminth Elimination Platform
      • LEAP Platform
      • redeLEISH Network
    • DNDi worldwide
      • DNDi Switzerland
      • DNDi DRC
      • DNDi Eastern Africa
      • DNDi Japan
      • DNDi Latin America
      • DNDi North America
      • DNDi South Asia
      • DNDi South-East Asia
      • DNDi Southern Africa
  • News & resources
    • News & stories
      • News
      • Stories
      • Statements
      • Viewpoints
      • Social media
      • eNews Newsletter
    • Press
      • Press releases
      • In the media
    • Resources
      • Scientific articles
      • Our publications
      • Videos
    • Events
  • About us
    • About
      • Who we are
      • How we work
      • Our strategy
      • Our donors
      • Annual reports
    • Our people
      • Our leadership
      • Our governance
      • Contact us
    • Work with us
      • Working at DNDi
      • Job opportunities
      • Requests for proposal
  • Donate
Home > News

Innovation to reach the destination: World NTD Day 2021

Home > News

Innovation to reach the destination: World NTD Day 2021

Girl being examined by a doctor
1 Feb 2021
Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on print

Almost ten years on from the first WHO Roadmap for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), we are making considerable progress. But too many of the 1.7 billion people at risk still lack access to appropriate treatment. To mark the second-ever World NTD Day on 30 January and the launch of the new WHO 2030 NTDs Roadmap, we shared these stories of people affected by neglected diseases, and joined with our partners to raise awareness.

Here are some of the highlights:

Story

The innovation neglected patients deserve

This interactive visual story highlighted the progress made for the neglected patients we serve – and showed what innovative new treatments they still deserve.

see the STORY
Father walking with a cane and holding his son's hand

Op-Ed

Monique WasunnaInnovation and research are key to defeat NTDs in Africa

Dr Monique Wasunna, Director of DNDi Africa, recalls an experience early in her medical career that no doctor wants to have: ‘A young boy died in my arms as we rushed him to the hospital to receive treatment. He had visceral leishmaniasis. He’d been brought 250 km from his village because the treatment was only available at our clinical trial site hospital in Nairobi. But we were too late.’

While prospects for patients have improved dramatically, challenges remain. Dr Wasunna points to the medical research and political leadership needed to bring the neglect to an end.

Read in The Conversation

Interview

Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft“We have achieved a lot but we need so much more”: How science can support the WHO 2030 NTDs Roadmap

What are the most critical innovation gaps that must be addressed to achieve the goals of the new NTDs Roadmap? Why is integrating NTD care within national health systems so important? How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the response to NTDs?

Drawing insights from our work driving partnerships and innovation to meet neglected patient’s needs, Dr Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft, DNDi Director of NTDs, highlights some of the key actions needed from the global community.

read viewpoint

Light up campaign

The world lights up for NTDs!

On 30 January, over 50 monuments around the world lit up in orange and purple for World NTD Day – sending a powerful message that it’s time to #EndTheNeglect. We were proud to be part of this global effort to raise awareness that now is the time for collaboration and innovation to beat NTDs!

Navamindrapobitr 84th Anniversary Building, Bangkok, Thailand by Siriraj Medical Education Technology Center
Navamindrapobitr 84th Anniversary Building, Bangkok, Thailand by Siriraj Medical Education Technology Center
Giza Pyramids, Cairo, Egypt by Mohamed El Zariff
KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by heartpatrick
KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by heartpatrick
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy by Vanessa Salvati
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy by Vanessa Salvati
Great Wall of China by Simatai, Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China by Simatai, Great Wall of China
Jet d'Eau, Geneva, Switzerland by Manon Voland
Jet d’Eau, Geneva, Switzerland by Manon Voland
Kigali Convention Center, Rwanda
Kigali Convention Center, Rwanda
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janiero, Brazil by Roberto Antunes
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janiero, Brazil by Roberto Antunes
Old Mill de Zoeker, Zaanstad, Netherlands by Ron Koffeman
Old Mill de Zoeker, Zaanstad, Netherlands by Ron Koffeman
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates by Jonathan Walley
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates by Jonathan Walley
Tokyo Tower, Japan by Yasuro Ide, Takaki Kobayashi
Tokyo Tower, Japan by Yasuro Ide, Takaki Kobayashi
Fiocruz Castle, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Fiocruz
Fiocruz Castle, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Fiocruz
CN Tower, Toronto, Canada by Jonathan Gazze
CN Tower, Toronto, Canada by Jonathan Gazze
City Hall, Paris, France by Henri Garat
City Hall, Paris, France by Henri Garat
Place De La Gare Centrale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo by Sandrine Ngalula
Place De La Gare Centrale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo by Sandrine Ngalula
Bayer HQ, Berlin, Germany
Bayer HQ, Berlin, Germany
Kingdom Tower, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Mohammed Hamad Al-Jandal
Kingdom Tower, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Mohammed Hamad Al-Jandal
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, United Arab Emirates by Paul Macleod
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, United Arab Emirates by Paul Macleod

1 in 5 campaign

DNDi team raises awareness for NTDs

Our team participated in this social media campaign, highlighting that 1 in 5 people are affected by neglected tropical diseases.

New MSF report

Overcoming Neglect: Finding ways to manage and control NTDs

In a new report calling for an improved global response to overcome the neglect with better access to diagnosis and safe, effective treatment and care for patients, DNDi Founding Partner Médecins Sans Frontières looks back on more than three decades of work treating patients, carrying out operational research, and supporting efforts to identify new treatments and diagnostics for NTDs.

Read the report

In the media

Press spotlight on ending the neglect

The UK must take the lead in wiping out the world’s forgotten diseases
The Telegraph
Comment by Dr Bernard Pécoul, DNDi Executive Director.

Two-speed science? An appeal for neglected tropical diseases
El País
Opinion editorial by Dr Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft, DNDi Director of NTDs.

The extraordinary scientific mobilization around Covid-19 must also apply to neglected diseases
La Croix
Opinion editorial by Stéphanie Seydoux, French Ambassador for Global Health, and Dr Bernard Pécoul, DNDi Executive Director.

Innovation and collaboration can help to eliminate neglected tropical diseases
The Economic Times
Opinion editorial by Farhat Mantoo, Director General of Médecins Sans Frontières India, and Dr Suman Rijal, Director of DNDi in India.

Forgotten by medicine
O Globo
Opinion editorial by Renata Reis, Deputy General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Brazil and Michel Lotrowska, Regional Director of DNDi Latin America.

Powerful voices

Global influencers raise their voices

As part of the World NTD Day, we were pleased to see so many powerful voices join the chorus to end the neglect of NTDs.

Today is the 2nd #WorldNTDDay 2021 & Malaysia is proud to join the global community in a show of solidarity to #BeatNTDs. Our collective action will free the next generation from diseases of poverty to #EndTheNeglect. #NTDs cause 1000’s of preventable deaths each year pic.twitter.com/4EAQCRnHPK

— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) January 29, 2021

Pleased to join the launch of the 2021 to 2030 Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which aims to prevent, control, eliminate & eradicate 20 NTDs & disease groups, by shifting away from single-disease programmes to integrated approaches. https://t.co/WxxAOWJQHb pic.twitter.com/SymjDVhgZQ

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 28, 2021

I was proud to wear these shoes in Abu Dhabi for #WorldNTDDay 2021. Threatening 1.7+ billion globally, neglected tropical diseases cause thousands of preventable deaths each year and assist in perpetuating the poverty cycle. You can help to #EndTheNeglect by bidding @CharityStars https://t.co/jSna8Awpxz

— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) January 30, 2021

A fantastic re-cap of #WorldNTDDay by @BeckyCNN on @cnni, which reminds us that we have to keep working to #EndTheNeglect and to ultimately #beatNTDs. pic.twitter.com/2ovjogJzUN

— UnitingtoCombatNTDs (@CombatNTDs) February 2, 2021

Welcome to World NTD Day #WorldNTDDay It’s time to #EndTheNeglect of over 1.7 BILLION people #MakeHumanityGreatAgain #beatNTDs – https://t.co/rKmg6kBa5w – The Beekeepers pic.twitter.com/2rMZswwcOI

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) January 30, 2021

In the spirit of human fraternity, I invite everyone not to forget the most vulnerable populations, and to give particular attention to neglected tropical diseases that affect the poorest people. Let us promote the necessary treatments so that no one will be left behind.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 6, 2021

Thank you Prime Minister @BorisJohnson and @FCDOGovUK for your continued leadership in the fight to #beatNTDs. Today, on #WorldNTDDay, we are honoured to have your support as we work to #EndTheNeglect of neglected tropical diseases, which affect one in five people on Earth. pic.twitter.com/UcBLRNt1Hj

— UnitingtoCombatNTDs (@CombatNTDs) January 30, 2021

Staggering statistics: 1.7 billion people worldwide are affected by neglected tropical diseases. That’s 1 in 5 people on the planet. @VirginUnite is joining with our partners, @Sightsavers, to help spread the word: https://t.co/qvULtgYulB @TheAudaciousPrj

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) February 7, 2021

See more on Twitter

Photo credit: Fábio Nascimento-DNDi, Neil Brandvold-DNDi

Chagas disease Cutaneous leishmaniasis Filaria: river blindness Mycetoma Sleeping sickness Visceral leishmaniasis

Read, watch, share

Loading...
Davide Paparo and Ian Hausler with their thermotherapy device "CLARA"
Stories
16 Mar 2023

Cutaneous leishmaniasis: Swiss students develop innovative thermotherapy device for safer treatment of ‘flesh-eating parasite’

Stories
8 Mar 2023

Highlighting gender-based treatment gaps on International Women’s Day: Mary Alamak’s story

DNDi-GARDP Southern Africa director, Carol Ruffell (left), presents the December 2022 edition of HIV Nursing Matters and the 2022 paediatric ARV dosing chart to Bénédicte Schutz, Monaco’s Director of International Cooperation (centre), and Yordanos Pasquier, Monaco’s Deputy Director of International Cooperation (right).
News
3 Mar 2023

Working together to ensure optimal treatment for children living with HIV in South Africa

Nurse with patient
Press releases
1 Mar 2023

Fiocruz and DNDi sign strategic alliance agreement

Statements
28 Feb 2023

DNDi’s submission to the Technical Assessment component of the first Global Stocktake

Statements
22 Feb 2023

DNDi comments on the zero draft of the WHO CA+ for consideration of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body at INB4 & 5

Hat Platform Newsletter N°22 screenshot
Publications
22 Feb 2023

HAT Platform Newsletter No. 22

Lab activities
News
20 Feb 2023

First in-person Dengue Alliance meeting brings together experts from dengue-endemic countries to develop treatments for a growing viral threat

VIEW ALL

Help neglected patients

To date, we have delivered twelve new treatments, saving millions of lives.

Our goal is to deliver 25 new treatments in our first 25 years. You can help us get there. 

GIVE NOW
DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
Facebook-f
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin-in
Youtube
International non-profit developing safe, effective, and affordable treatments for the most neglected patients.

Learn more

  • Diseases
  • Neglected tropical diseases
  • R&D portfolio
  • Policy advocacy

Get in touch

  • Our offices
  • Contact us
  • Integrity Line

Support us

  • Donate
  • Subscribe to eNews

Work with us

  • Join research networks
  • Jobs
  • RFPs
  • Terms of Use   
  •   Acceptable Use Policy   
  •   Privacy Policy   
  •   Cookie Policy   
  •   Our policies   

  • Except for images, films and trademarks which are subject to DNDi’s Terms of Use, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Switzerland License   
We use cookies to track our audience and improve our content. By clicking 'Accept All', you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click on 'Customize' to accept only some cookies.
Customize
REJECT ACCEPT ALL
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category .
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
CookieLawInfoConsent1 yearRecords the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.
PHPSESSIDsessionThis cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
CookieDurationDescription
elementorneverThis cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_ga_16Q5RH3XRG2 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics.
_gat_UA-10302561-11 minuteA variation of the _gat cookie set by Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to allow website owners to track visitor behaviour and measure site performance. The pattern element in the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
_hjAbsoluteSessionInProgress30 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to detect the first pageview session of a user. This is a True/False flag set by the cookie.
_hjFirstSeen30 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to identify a new user’s first session. It stores a true/false value, indicating whether it was the first time Hotjar saw this user.
_hjIncludedInPageviewSample2 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's pageview limit.
_hjIncludedInSessionSample2 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's daily session limit.
_hjSession_112884430 minutesHotjar sets this cookie.
_hjSessionUser_11288441 yearHotjar sets this cookie.
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
Targeting
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo