The Last, Hard-to-Reach Mile on NTDs

The world will miss some targets in the fight against NTDs, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the Emirates News Agency—tempering expectations ahead of the Reaching the Last Mile forum now underway in Abu Dhabi.

The invitation-only event convenes global health leaders to share best practices on tackling infectious diseases—including neglected diseases that afflict more than 1 billion people.
 
Still, Tedros pointed to notable gains: “Today, 500 million fewer people than in 2010 need interventions against NTDs and more than 40 countries, territories and areas have eliminated at least one disease.”

And, he revealed a new NTD Roadmap for 2021-2030 that he says “encourages a fundamental shift from a disease-specific approach to integrated approaches in the context of universal health coverage.”

UAE officials also announced plans for the First World Tropical Diseases Day on January 30, The National (UAE) reports.