World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2026 | Unite. Act. Eliminate.
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) day is commemorated annually on January 30. NTDs mainly affect the world’s most vulnerable populations, perpetuating cycles of poverty, stigma, and ill health. NTDs include Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), Guinea Worm, and bacterial infections such as Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) & Trachoma, alongside viral diseases like Dengue & Chikungunya, and others like Leishmaniasis, and Chagas Disease.
On World NTD Day, the global health community comes together to reaffirm a shared commitment to end diseases that are preventable, treatable, and, in many cases, eliminable. This makes the 2026 theme of Unite, Act and Eliminate apt. As of 2026, an estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide still require interventions against one or more NTDs. These diseases disproportionately affect communities in low- and middle-income countries, limiting educational attainment, economic productivity, and overall well-being. Children, women, and marginalized populations bear the greatest burden.
Significant progress has been made through sustained partnerships and national leadership. To date, 58 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, moving steadily toward the World Health Organization (WHO) target of 100 countries by 2030. This progress demonstrates that elimination is achievable when political will, scientific innovation, and community engagement align.
Despite these gains, momentum is at risk. Between 2018 and 2023, global funding aid for NTDs declined by 41%, threatening essential programs such as mass drug administration, surveillance, diagnostics, and research. Without renewed investment, hard-won gains may stall or be reversed, particularly in fragile and resource-limited settings.
Why We Must Unite and Act Now
Eliminating NTDs requires coordinated action across sectors—governments, academia, civil society, industry, and affected communities. Strong surveillance systems, implementation research, equitable access to tools, and sustained financing are all essential to reach elimination goals.
ISID’s Commitment
The International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) is dedicated to improving the care of infectious diseases worldwide, with a strong focus on equity and global collaboration. ISID advances the fight against NTDs by:
Sponsoring and supporting research that addresses NTD epidemiology, prevention, and control particularly in researchers from LICs/LMICs and early career researchers. In addition, the ISID publishes high-quality scientific evidence on NTDs through its journals, including the International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID) and IJID Regions.
This shows the ISID serves the global community by amplifying knowledge exchange through global networks, capacity building, and dissemination of evidence relevant to endemic settings.
On this World NTD Day, ISID calls on the global community to unite, act decisively, and eliminate neglected tropical diseases—ensuring that no population is left behind.