Over the last two decades, the global community has made significant progress towards control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). By the end of 2024, 54 countries will have eliminated at least one NTD. In just the last 15 years, the number of people requiring treatment for NTDs has decreased by 25%. This impact has been driven by powerful partnerships that have revolutionized progress in the fight against these debilitating diseases. A critical element of this success is the work many countries have already done to embed NTD programs into national health systems. However, this progress is at risk if NTDs are left out of the broader health system reforms underway in response to a changing global health landscape. Protecting these hard-won gains requires collective action.

The interruption of US government funding for global health threatens national health systems and will lead to a reprioritization of health interventions. To ensure NTDs are not relegated to the neglected status long assigned to this group of debilitating diseases, we need program structures to fit the current context. We must innovate and look for opportunities to integrate NTD treatments into other delivery platforms. We need to support the countries through these transitions. We need to support country ownership and define new domestic financing mechanisms that increasingly rely on funding from government and non-government sources. Most importantly, the architects of these new structures and solutions for NTDs must be the countries and governments working to control and eliminate these diseases to ensure their populations can pursue healthy lives and well-being.  

During the 78th World Health Assembly, governments and partners convene to begin the conversation on how to develop a long-term plan and vision for NTD sustainability. In the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities for further engagement, including virtual consultations to shape discussions at an upcoming convening in Bellagio. This convening will bring together important voices in the global health community to co-develop a more sustainable and resilient NTD program model. 

First and foremost, country voices must be front and center as we chart a new path forward for continued progress towards the control and elimination of NTDs. Countries are working to build NTDs into their programs, but urgently need to be part of emerging reforms. To make this effort a success, it is crucial for country leaders to be clear about what is required to keep NTD programs moving forward and about what must be done to support the efforts to build country ownership and sustainability.  

We call on governments, institutions, philanthropies, nongovernmental organizations, and private sector partners to join us in accelerating these efforts to embed NTD programs into national health systems with countries as the lead architects in defining sustainable solutions to deliver on our collective goals to control and eliminate NTDs.