Pretoria—World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day provides an important opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to ending diseases that continue to affect the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. NTD are preventable, treatable and, in many cases, entirely eliminable. Yet globally they still affect more than one billion people, imposing an unacceptable burden of illness, disability, stigma and lost opportunity.
Encouragingly, progress has been substantial. By early 2026, 58 countries had eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease and the number of people requiring NTD interventions has declined by more than one third since 2010.
South Africa has been an important contributor to this global progress. Through sustained investments in public health infrastructure, disease surveillance and primary health care, the country has made notable advances in the control and elimination of several NTDs, including leprosy, rabies, soil-transmitted helminth infections and schistosomiasis in targeted settings. South Africa’s experience illustrates the value of strong domestic leadership, intersectoral collaboration and evidence-informed policy in tackling diseases of poverty.
However, the work is not finished. Persistent inequities, climate change, population mobility, and social determinants such as inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene continue to shape NTD risk in South Africa and across the region. At the same time, neglected tropical diseases remain among the most underfunded areas of global health.
World NTD Day 2026, under the theme “Unite. Act. Eliminate.” calls on us to respond decisively to these challenges.
Unite—by strengthening country leadership and partnerships. In South Africa, continued prioritization of NTDs within national and provincial health plans, supported by sustainable domestic financing, will be essential to protect gains and accelerate elimination.
Act—by integrating NTD services into people-centred health systems. NTD prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care must be embedded within primary health care and universal health coverage efforts. Equally important is elevating community voices and lived experience. People affected by NTDs must be at the centre of decision-making to ensure programmes are dignified, effective and sustainable.
Eliminate—by investing in proven solutions and innovation. Low-cost interventions such as preventive chemotherapy deliver extraordinary returns, generating an estimated US$ 25 in economic benefits for every US$ 1 invested. Investing in NTD elimination is not only a moral imperative; it is a smart investment in health security, equity and economic development.
WHO remains fully committed to supporting South Africa in this effort. We will continue to provide technical guidance, strengthen surveillance and data systems, support integration within health services, and convene partners to advance the goals of the WHO NTD Roadmap 2021–2030. Achieving the global target of eliminating NTDs in 100 countries by 2030 is ambitious, but it is achievable if we act together.
On this World NTD Day, let us celebrate the progress made, renew our political and financial commitment and accelerate action to ensure that NTDs no longer hold back the health, dignity and development of people in South Africa and around the world.
Together, we can unite, act and eliminate NTDs—leaving no one behind.
Message from Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO Representative in South Africa