WHO calls for global action on World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025: Unite. Act. Eliminate.
Cairo, Egypt, 29 January 2025 – On the occasion of World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments, leaders, communities and individuals to unite, act and eliminate NTDs through bold, sustainable investments. This call is especially important for the estimated 1.5 billion people living in the world’s most vulnerable communities, who are trapped in a vicious cycle of disease and poverty.
World NTDs Day, observed annually on 30 January, serves as a global reminder of the importance of NTDs and their devastating impact on health and development. The theme for 2025 – “Unite. Act. Eliminate.” – emphasizes the collective commitment needed to end these diseases. WHO is calling for increased country commitment, resources, technical guidance, solidarity and coordination to eliminate NTDs by delivering treatment, reducing transmission, managing disability and combating stigma.
NTDs: A global challenge
NTDs are a diverse group of more than 21 conditions, including parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal diseases. These diseases are prevalent in the world’s poorest regions, where access to clean water, sanitation and health care services is often inadequate. NTDs affect over 1 billion people globally and are responsible for thousands of preventable deaths every year.
In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, NTDs affect millions of people annually, with a significant toll on public health. An estimated 75 million people require interventions against NTDs in the Region, which affect the most vulnerable communities. For example, outbreaks of NTDs have
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