63 Countries Achieve Milestone in Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2026
The WHO reports significant progress in combating neglected tropical diseases, with 63 countries eliminating at least one disease by mid-2026.
The number of people needing treatment for NTDs has decreased to 1.41 billion, a 36% reduction since 2010.
Dengue cases reached an all-time high of 15.1 million in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges.
The WHO urges countries to enhance domestic funding and integrate NTD services into primary health care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a remarkable achievement in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with 63 countries having successfully eliminated at least one NTD by June 2026. This marks a significant increase from 42 countries at the end of 2020, reflecting a global commitment to addressing these often-overlooked health issues.
According to the WHO's midterm assessment of the 2021-2030 NTD roadmap, the progress made is notable, with fewer individuals requiring treatment. The number of people needing interventions has fallen to 1.41 billion in 2024, a 36% decrease since 2010 and a 19% drop since 2020. Additionally, cases of sleeping sickness have plummeted by 98% since 1999, and Guinea worm disease has reached a historic low of just 10 human cases in 2025.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of sustaining these gains, stating, "Elimination of neglected tropical diseases is one of the standout success stories of global health." He urged countries and partners to increase domestic financing, maintain external support, and integrate NTD services into primary health care systems to ensure continued progress.
Despite these advancements, the report highlights disparities in progress, with NTDs continuing to disproportionately affect impoverished communities. Dengue fever cases surged to a record 15.1 million in 2024, and deaths from vector-borne NTDs have increased. The report also notes that only three disease-specific indicators achieved their 2025 milestones, underscoring the need for improved data collection and analysis.
Looking ahead, the WHO calls for accelerated and sustained action to meet the 2030 targets, urging affected countries to enhance domestic funding and adapt programs to address challenges such as conflict and climate change. With five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, the organization stresses the necessity of protecting hard-won gains and closing existing gaps in NTD interventions.
