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 through 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.
Join our call for innovation and medical research for all!
On World NTD Day on 30 January, we are using social media to raise awareness about the 1.7 billion people affected by neglected tropical diseases and the need for innovation to develop better treatments for these diseases. Help us spread the word by sharing messages on social media!
We are also gathering with partners, healthcare providers, and communities around the world to celebrate the achievements made so far and discuss ways to overcome the challenges that still prevent medical innovations to reach people living with neglected tropical diseases.
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 neglected tropical diseases 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 is an opportunity to remind us about the commitments made in Rwanda and the need to act now, act together, and invest in NTDs.
Innovating together for 20 years
DNDi was created in 2003 in response to the frustration of doctors unable to treat patients living with deadly NTDs. The treatments that existed were ineffective, or so toxic that they themselves killed patients, or simply too expensive or unavailable. In two decades, 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.
