The microscopic image shows Trypanosoma cruzi in a blood smear. The single-celled parasites are the causative agents of Chagas disease, which is mainly prevalent in Central and South America.
Infectious diseases Neglected tropical diseases
The diseases vary widely in terms of their pathogens, transmission paths and geographical distribution. NTDs can be transmitted from person to person, from animals to humans, or indirectly, for example when mosquitoes or ticks transmit pathogens.
Our knowledge from research into the options for diagnosis and therapy also varies greatly, depending on the specific disease in question. Alongside relatively well-known illnesses such as leprosy, rabies, bilharzia or river blindness, this group includes little understood infections such as yaws or Buruli ulcer. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, worldwide, more than a billion people are suffering from one or more of these diseases that are causing about 200,000 deaths every year.
A significant number of NTDs cause chronic conditions and disabilities. Those affected face severe limitations in their daily lives and often social exclusion as well. The high costs of diagnosis and the often lengthy treatment periods place a heavy burden on individuals and healthcare systems, hampering the economic development of affected regions and countries.
Treatment often unavailable or unaffordable
Neglected tropical diseases affect above all poor communities in challenging environments such as remote rural areas, urban slums, conflict zones or regions hit by natural disasters. These diseases are often linked to unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation and environmental pollution. Many affected individuals lack access to basic medical care and have no political voice.
For many of these diseases, little to no private-sector research is conducted, as pharmaceutical companies see limited potential of making a profit with developing treatments for NTDs. Existing medical products and technologies for prevention and treatment are often unavailable, difficult to implement, or unaffordable in developing and emerging countries.
To address this, the German government supports product development partnerships, where public and private-sector actors collaborate to research these diseases and bring new, non-profit-oriented medications to market readiness (see also: Improving access to health products).
Multisector approach needed
Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development the international community has committed to the goal of eradicating neglected tropical diseases by 2030 (Target 3.3). To secure lasting success in the fight against these diseases, we need a comprehensive, multisector approach of the kind pursued by Germany in its development cooperation.
Purely medical measures are not sufficient in the long run. We need to address and improve the living conditions of those affected. This is why it makes sense to combine various activities that help control the diseases. Thus, alongside the efforts to strengthen the medical infrastructure, it is important to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Measures to improve people’s educational and income situation also form part of this comprehensive approach.
In 2022, Germany became the first Western country to sign the Kigali Declaration, in which governments and key stakeholders from industry, academia, multilateral organisations, and non-governmental organisations commit to implementing the WHO roadmap to end NTDs by 2030.
German activities
Germany has been supporting a comprehensive set of measures to prevent and combat neglected tropical diseases over many years. The types of activities have changed over time. The focus of German development cooperation is now on strengthening the health systems and embedding national programmes to combat specific diseases into broader healthcare approaches.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is, for instance, assisting the member states of Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale, CEMAC) with the effective roll-out of their programmes for treating and controlling neglected tropical diseases. This support includes the promotion of young scientists from the regions who are engaged in research work in this field.
Diagnostics, such as expanding laboratory capacities and incorporating veterinary and environmental data, is a key focus of a BMZ programme supporting the fight against NTDs in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Since 1974, the BMZ has also contributed to a specialised programme hosted by the WHO, which supports research on these diseases in the Global South.