Since the beginning of 2024, 11 countries have successfully eliminated a neglected tropical disease (NTD), raising the global total to 56 countries and demonstrating remarkable progress in disease elimination efforts.
Mauritania and Papua New Guinea have officially declared the elimination of trachoma, an eye disease that is a leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide, as a public health concern. This achievement brings the total number of countries that have eradicated trachoma to 23. Trachoma is one of several NTDs—parasitic, viral, fungal, and bacterial infections that affect over one billion people globally. Africa remains the continent most impacted by these diseases, particularly in impoverished rural areas facing water shortages and inadequate sanitation.
Papua New Guinea has become the first country to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD), joining Mauritania among 11 nations recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for achieving this milestone since the start of 2024. The other countries include Viet Nam, India, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Brazil, Jordan, Chad, Guinea, and Niger. During a high-profile ceremony at the recent World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed this achievement as a "golden age of disease elimination."
The global fight against NTDs stands out as one of the most significant success stories in public health, marked by an unprecedented pace of sustained progress, impressive returns on investment, and tangible impacts. Efforts to combat NTDs have been instrumental in reducing poverty, enhancing education, promoting gender equity, and addressing inequalities in affected communities.
In Mauritania, initiatives to eradicate trachoma involved collaboration between the public and private sectors, engaging various government ministries and relying on the essential support of community health workers. The country also effectively implemented the WHO’s SAFE strategy—comprising Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements—targeting both prevention and treatment.
In response to the recent elimination of trachoma, Dr. Isatou Touray, Interim Executive Director at Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, remarked, “The successful elimination of trachoma in Mauritania and Papua New Guinea offers renewed hope to other countries affected by this disease. It highlights what can be accomplished through steadfast political commitment, strong government leadership, and collaborative efforts. This achievement also underscores the significant return on investment in neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs, which have clear and attainable elimination targets that present focused and strategic funding opportunities.
“Despite the challenges posed by global funding cuts, we must harness this momentum and ensure continued progress toward the WHO’s ambitious 2030 NTD elimination goals, ultimately working towards a future free of all NTDs in Africa.”
Papua New Guinea received recognition from the WHO for its outstanding success in eliminating a disease, highlighting its achievements alongside other nations that exemplify the potential of sustained political commitment, local ownership, community involvement, and focused health initiatives.
These accomplishments come at a time when significant reductions in official development assistance (ODA) threaten the future of global disease elimination efforts. During this year's World Health Assembly (WHA78), global leaders convened to tackle these issues and seek innovative financing solutions for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
In its Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap 2021–2030, the World Health Organization set 2030 as the target year for the global elimination of NTDs. This goal is part of broader efforts to achieve universal health coverage, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being and equity for everyone, regardless of age.
