Over 1 billion people suffer from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), mostly in the world’s poorest and hardest-to-reach areas. World NTD Day (30 January) is a moment to spotlight these diseases—and the solutions that can save lives. World NTD day is an opportunity to strongly advocate towards governments, donors, implementing partners, disease experts and all other stakeholders for increased support for the NTD Roadmap (2021-2030) that set out a plan to address these diseases.

There are 21 Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) recognized by WHO, and they are very diverse, from parasites and bacteria to venoms, and 1.5 billion people worldwide (1 fifth of the planet) require an NTD intervention yearly.

Noma is a treatable disease. Sustainable investments in early detection and capacity building prevent disability and deaths. Further research is required to identify the cause of noma, develop diagnostic tools and targeted treatment. “MSF teams see the devastating impact of noma first-hand. Early diagnosis and access to treatment save lives, but many children still die because care is delayed or unavailable. Everyone can help raise awareness and demand action.”

NTDs are often fatal without treatment, or disfiguring and stigmatizing, and almost always affect the most marginalized or displaced people. Many are excruciatingly painful, and land people in a cycle of disability, life-long suffering, isolation and poverty. However, they can be treated or prevented. NTDs are unfairly forgotten proportionately to their large morbidity-mortality.

World NTD Day (30 January) is a predictable global moment to push concrete decisions—policies, budgets, or rollout milestones—beyond general awareness. WHO’s 2024–2025 theme, “Unite. Act. Eliminate.”, should be modified as lifesaving NTD activities and disability-reduction projects should be more prioritized than elimination, as they are expensive, and less relevant immediately.