WHO Reports Major Progress Against Neglected Tropical Diseases, but Warns Funding Cuts Could Threaten Global Health Gains

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 63 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease as of June 2026, while warning that declining funding, rising dengue cases, and persistent healthcare inequalities could threaten progress toward global disease elimination targets for 2030.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced significant global progress in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with 63 countries having eliminated at least one disease by June 2026, compared with 42 countries at the end of 2020.

The findings were published in WHO's Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026, which provides a midterm assessment of the organization's 2021 - 2030 roadmap for preventing, controlling, eliminating, and eradicating neglected tropical diseases.

The report highlights important achievements in reducing disease burden and expanding access to treatment. However, WHO warns that financial pressures, unequal progress, and emerging health threats could undermine these gains unless countries and international partners maintain their commitments.

63 Countries Have Eliminated at Least One Neglected Tropical Disease

According to WHO, the number of countries that have successfully eliminated at least one NTD increased from 42 in 2020 to 63 by June 2026.

The report also shows a substantial reduction in the number of people requiring interventions against these diseases.

In 2024, approximately 1.41 billion people required NTD-related interventions, representing a decline of 36% since 2010 and 19% since 2020.

Significant progress has also been recorded against several individual diseases.

Cases of human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, have fallen by 98% since 1999.

Meanwhile, Guinea worm disease reached a historic low of just 10 reported human cases in 2025, bringing global eradication efforts closer to their goal.

These achievements demonstrate the impact of sustained disease surveillance, preventive treatment, public health interventions, and international cooperation.

WHO Calls for Continued Investment to Protect Progress

WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the elimination of neglected tropical diseases as one of the major success stories in global health.

However, he cautioned that progress could be reversed if countries and development partners reduce their commitments.

WHO is urging governments to increase domestic financing, maintain international support, and integrate NTD services into primary healthcare systems.

The organization emphasized that disease elimination is not only about reducing infections. It is also about protecting vulnerable communities from disability, disfigurement, premature death, and long-term poverty associated with these diseases.

New Vaccines and Medicines Strengthen Disease Prevention and Treatment

Scientific advances are providing new opportunities to prevent and treat neglected tropical diseases.

WHO highlighted several important developments, including:

• Arpraziquantel: A child-friendly treatment for schistosomiasis that has received WHO prequalification.

• Generic miltefosine: A medicine used in the treatment of certain forms of leishmaniasis.

• Dengue vaccine: A preventive tool that can help reduce disease burden when used according to appropriate vaccination recommendations.

• Chikungunya vaccines: Two vaccines that have received regulatory approval.

• New medicines: Regulatory approvals for treatments targeting onchocerciasis and human African trypanosomiasis.

These advances could strengthen disease control efforts, particularly when combined with effective surveillance, accessible healthcare services, and community-based prevention.

However, WHO emphasized that medical innovations alone are insufficient without sustainable healthcare systems and equitable access.

Dengue Cases Reach Record 15.1 Million in 2024

Despite progress against several neglected tropical diseases, WHO reported concerning trends in other areas.

Global dengue cases reached a record 15.1 million in 2024, highlighting the continuing threat posed by mosquito-borne diseases.

The report also identified rising deaths associated with vector-borne NTDs and insufficient progress toward eradicating yaws, a bacterial infection affecting the skin and other tissues.

Only three disease-specific indicators achieved their 2025 milestones under the WHO roadmap.

These findings demonstrate that progress remains uneven and that some disease control programs require substantial acceleration to meet their 2030 targets.

The report also identified gaps in timely and comprehensive health data, including information broken down by gender, which makes it more difficult to accurately assess progress and identify underserved populations.

Declining International Funding Threatens NTD Programs

One of the report's most serious concerns is the reduction in financial resources available for neglected tropical disease programs.

WHO found that international development assistance for NTDs remains heavily concentrated among a relatively small number of donors.

Between 2018 and 2024, a small group of funding partners accounted for nearly 80% of total international assistance for these diseases.

This dependence has made disease control programs particularly vulnerable to sudden funding reductions.

According to WHO, financial disruptions have affected mass treatment campaigns, patient care, disease surveillance, and vector control activities.

In some cases, donated medicines have been placed at risk of expiring before they can be distributed.

Overall, resources available for neglected tropical diseases remain approximately 30% below pre-COVID-19 levels, while dedicated funding for certain programs has nearly disappeared.

The organization warned that continued financial uncertainty could reverse years of public health progress.

Neglected Tropical Diseases Disproportionately Affect Vulnerable Communities

Neglected tropical diseases continue to affect some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations.

These diseases are frequently associated with limited access to healthcare, inadequate sanitation, unsafe water, and environmental conditions that increase exposure to infection.

For affected communities, the consequences can extend beyond physical illness.

Long-term disability, reduced educational opportunities, lost income, and healthcare expenses can contribute to cycles of poverty.

WHO emphasized that addressing these diseases requires a comprehensive approach that combines medical treatment with stronger health systems and broader social development.

Countries Integrate NTD Services into National Healthcare Systems

Despite financial challenges, the report identified encouraging examples of countries working to make disease control efforts more sustainable.

An increasing number of countries affected by NTDs are incorporating disease prevention and treatment into national health strategies, essential healthcare service packages, and domestic health budgets.

WHO also highlighted efforts to improve efficiency by delivering interventions for multiple diseases through shared healthcare services.

For example, the number of countries adopting WHO's recommended strategy for skin-related neglected tropical diseases has already exceeded the target set for 2030.

Such integrated approaches can help improve access to care while making better use of limited financial and healthcare resources.

WHO Urges Faster Action to Meet 2030 Disease Elimination Goals

With the 2030 targets approaching, WHO is calling for accelerated and sustained action to protect existing achievements and address remaining gaps.

The organization recommends increasing domestic investment in NTD programs and integrating disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment into universal health coverage.

WHO also encourages countries to adapt disease control strategies to challenges such as armed conflict, population displacement, and climate change.

International donors are being urged to broaden their support across different NTD interventions, while recipient countries are encouraged to diversify funding sources to reduce financial dependence.

These measures are considered essential to maintaining long-term progress and preventing the resurgence of diseases that have already been controlled or eliminated in some settings.

 

Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026.