Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) impact millions of people worldwide every year – and billions more are at risk. NTDs mostly occur in tropical climates and disproportionately affect people who are already vulnerable, whether due to poverty or marginalization. These diseases are neglected because they are not profitable to research, so there is too little research for better treatments and diagnostics. 

Founded 20 years ago, DNDi works to address this injustice by working in partnership with communities, governments, the pharmaceutical industry, non-profit organizations, universities, and healthcare providers. Our aim is to develop urgently needed treatments that are affordable, available, and adapted to the communities who need them. 

Raising awareness around the world

On World NTD Day on 30 January, we gathered with partners, healthcare providers, and communities around the world to celebrate the achievements we have made so far and discuss ways to overcome the challenges that still prevent medical innovation from reaching people living with NTDs.

India

In Bihar, India, we hosted an event honouring frontline health workers whose hard work has been central to reaching the last mile of visceral leishmaniasis elimination in India.

We also inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for leishmaniasis case management at Saran hospital, Chapra, India – developed under the direction of National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control, Bihar Health Department, and the Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences.

Brazil

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we spent the day raising awareness of NTDs, their symptoms, and how to access medical care at a community mobilization event co-organized with Médecins Sans Frontières Brazil, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio Chagas Association, the Movement for the Reintegration of People Affected by Leprosy (MORHAN), Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM), CUIDACHAGAS, and Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Secretariat.

Japan

The Japan Alliance on Global NTDs hosted a webinar bringing together industry, government, and academic institutions working on NTDs in Japan. The participants sent a united message to the G7. Speaking at the event, Kaori Nakatani, Director of DNDi Japan, called for sustainable investment in R&D for NTDs and the creation of an environment that can accelerate access to medicines.

Kenya

In Kisumu County, Kenya, our team supported the Ministry of Health of Kenya in marking World NTD Day through talk shows and awareness-raising radio adverts on NTDs with two community radio stations (Dala FM and Nam Lolwe FM).

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) commemorated their National Sleeping Sickness Day at an event in Kinshasa under the auspices of the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Prevention Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda and supported by partners including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DNDi, FIND, DRC’s National Institute of Biomedical Research (IRNB), Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, PATH, and the World Health Organization.

United Kingdom

In London, the UK Coalition against NTDs and APPG on Malaria and NTDs organized an event at the UK Parliament during which Dr Charles Mowbray, DNDi’s Discovery Director, presented our activities and called for continued support, new partnerships, and the application of new technologies and emerging science to tackle NTDs. The discussion was followed by the launch of an exhibition showcasing photos, artwork, and videos from NTD projects and organizations.

On 31 January, DNDi and APPG on Malaria and NTDs hosted a roundtable discussion with government officials, parliamentarians, British scientific and medical professionals on the application of AI and other technologies for research and drug discovery for global health. Dr Charles Mowbray, DNDi’s Discovery Director, and Craig Tipple, DNDi’s Medical Director, shared DNDi’s experience in using new technologies in R&D for NTDs.

Twitter Spaces

Dr Monique Wasunna, Director of DNDi Eastern Africa, and Dr Borna Nyaoke, Senior Clinical Project Manager & Medical Manager, participated in a Twitter Spaces conversation on NTDs and what we can do to eliminate them. Over 600 listeners tuned into the conversation, hosted by social media influencer and content marketing expert Janet Machuka.

Our call for innovation and medical research for all! 

We used social media to raise awareness of the 1.7 billion people affected by NTDs and the need for innovation to develop better treatments for these diseases. Thank you to all the supporters and advocates who helped us spread the word that we should bring the #BestScienceforAll and end the neglect.

You can still help us spread the word by sharing messages on social media!

Neglected tropical diseases in the media

On the occasion of World NTD Day, we shared messages through editorial opinion articles:

• Eliminating neglected diseases in Africa: there are good reasons for hope by Dr Monique Wasunna, Director of DNDi Eastern Africa, published in The Conversation Africa
• Right time to take a stab at innovations to sustain kala-azar elimination by Dr Kavita Singh, Director of DNDi South Asia, published in The Pioneer

We were pleased to see the world’s media pay greater attention to NTDs with some prominent reporting:

• NTV Kenya: Your World – Neglected tropical diseases
• Radio Okapi: Lutte contre les maladies tropicales négligées : bilan et perspectives ?
• The Economic Times: Neglected tropical diseases continue to pose significant health burden in India
• El País: De una inyección mortal para algunos a una pastilla que sana a todos: las enfermedades olvidadas se curan con investigación
• El Colombiano: La importancia de atender las enfermedades que están en el olvido
• TV Brasil: Doenças negligenciadas: Ação busca conscientizar a população

Act now, act together, and invest in NTDs 

Six months ago, the Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases brought together world leaders to reaffirm commitments to end malaria and NTDs and endorse the Kigali Declaration calling for political will and resource mobilization to achieve the goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) Roadmap on NTDs. This World NTD Day was an opportunity to call attention to the commitments made in Rwanda and the need to act now, act together, and invest in NTDs. 

‘The status quo won’t get us there’

The annual G-FINDER report reviews critical trends in medical research and development (R&D) funding on neglected diseases. The 2022 report, released this week, reveals that after a decade of stagnation, investment in R&D for neglected tropical diseases fell by more than 10% in 2021, putting progress toward control and elimination at risk. We can’t protect the gains we’ve made against NTDs or reach WHO NTD Roadmap 2030 targets without increased support and sustained commitment.

Innovating together for 20 years 

20 years ago, it was shocking neglect that led to DNDi’s creation. Faced with medicines that were ineffective, unsafe, unavailable, or unaffordable – or that had never been developed at all – doctors and health workers around the world lacked the tools they needed to ensure their patients’ health and survival. Two decades later, we have proven that a collaborative, not-for-profit model for pharmaceutical R&D can deliver for neglected patients with 12 new treatments delivered for six deadly diseases.

Throughout 2023, we’ll be joining with our friends and allies to look back at the advances our partnerships have made over twenty years of collaboration – renewing our commitments, taking stock of the road we’ve travelled and lessons we’ve learned, and examining the obstacles we’ve yet to overcome.