Neglected Tropical Diseases

CBM supports Neglected Tropical Diseases programmes in regions where they are a public health concern. We leverage our expertise to build sustainable, community-owned programmes that are inclusive, integrated, and impactful.

What are the NTDs?

Bernadette, a farmer in Northern Congo and grandmother of at least eight children – suffered from trachoma trichiasis.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are primarily parasitic, bacterial or viral infections that thrive amongst the poorest and most marginalised people, families and communities. They are spread by human contact, insects, contaminated water, and soil that is infested with eggs or larvae of worms.

Transmission cycles are perpetuated under conditions of environmental contamination, protracted by poor standards of living and hygiene. Once widely dispersed, NTDs now persist in settings of extreme poverty, urban slums and conflict zones.

Though diverse in terms of causes and effects, NTDs frequently affect the same communities causing pain, disfigurement and chronic disability, impairing childhood growth and mental development and hindering economic growth – trapping people, families and entire communities in a cycle of poverty.

Globally, the WHO recognises 21 NTDs, out of which The "Big Five": elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), river blindness (onchocerciasis), soil-borne worm diseases, trachoma, and schistosomiasis, account for 90% of the burden of NTDs.

Facts worth knowing about NTDs

21 Diseases are categorised as NTDs. They are caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses.
1 bn. More than one billion people worldwide are affected by neglected tropical diseases.
500,000 people die every year from neglected tropical diseases.
52 mln almost 52 million people received medication for NTDs from CBM in 2023.

How does CBM combat NTDs?

Washing your face reduces the possibility of blinding infections

CBM currently works under the leadership of national NTD programmes to advance NTD elimination in Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Sudan. In addition, we provide technical assistance to NTD programmes in Egypt, Pakistan, and Yemen.

In 2007 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners, we started our first comprehensive and integrated NTD control programme in Burundi. This successful approach has been expanded in line with WHO recommendations and national policies to similar programmes in Nigeria and the DRC; the CAR and South Sudan are planned to follow as it becomes feasible.

Our Strategy

Health Systems Strengthening

We incorporate WHO's health system strengthening pillars, focusing on effective leadership, governance, and accountability in our NTD work. This includes investing in a skilled health workforce, ensuring quality service delivery and providing ongoing care for those affected.

Disease Elimination

In alignment with the WHO NTD Road Map, we are intentional about eliminating NTDs by supporting the efforts of the WHO African Regional Office's (AFRO) "Special Programmes for the Elimination of NTDs" (ESPEN) in eliminating the 5 PC-NTDs—onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Trachoma, Soil-Transmitted Helminths, and Schistosomiasis in Africa.

For example, to eliminate onchocerciasis, we support the annual treatment of the disease with Ivermectin through a community-directed approach. Additionally, we support alternative and innovative approaches (like Mass Drug Administration more than once per year) in alignment with WHO and national programmes where appropriate and feasible.

We also support the implementation of a comprehensive SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma. This strategy includes surgery to treat the blinding stage, specifically trachomatous trichiasis. It also involves antibiotics to clear infection, particularly through MDA of azithromycin. The strategy promotes facial cleanliness and focuses on environmental improvements, especially in access to water and sanitation.

Disease Management Disability and Inclusion

Our approach emphasises strong community engagement and collaboration across sectors, addressing social factors contributing to NTDs and supporting sustainable, local involvement.

Advocacy in NTDs

Working in collaboration with NTD Networks such as the NTD NGO Network (NNN) and the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) to advance the NTD elimination goal.

Our global commitment

Inclusive Health Initiative Learn more about our approach

CBM aligns with various global frameworks in our NTD elimination efforts. These include:

Sustainable Development Goals targets: SDG 3.3 sets a target of ending epidemics of AIDS, TB, malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases and combatting hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases by 2030. SDG 3.8 is also especially relevant for NTDs as it highlights the need for equitable and quality services for all.
WHO NTD Roadmap 2030: The road map sets global targets and milestones to prevent, control, and eliminate 21 NTDs and cross-cutting targets aligned with the SDGs.
NNN best Framework; it recognises the necessity of working across sectors and strengthening systems to maximise the positive impact made by development investments in NTD endemic countries.
National guidelines: We align with national NTD guidelines in the countries where we work.

Treating NTDs in remote river communities

There is no road leading to the village of Ngombe Malala in the Democratic Republic of Congo—only the river. Everything the people there need has to arrive by boat, including the medication that protects them from the danger of blindness.

Know more about our work with NTDs

CBM NTD Annual Report 2024
pdf, 7.3MB, Accessible
In 2023, CBM made a remarkable impact, reaching an unprecedented number of people by delivering life-changing services focused on trachoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted worm infections and schistosomiasis. We successfully reached 54.1 million community members, providing them with much-needed care and support. Our commitment to preventive measures was demonstrated through the administration of 88.7 million doses of preventive chemotherapy, significantly reducing the burden of NTDs in high-risk communities
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CBM NTD Report Annual 2023
pdf, 4.2MB, Accessible
As part of the Inclusive Eye Health Initiative, CBM has implemented NTD programmes for over 30 years, including interventions for five diseases treated with preventative chemotherapy. In 2023, we continued to build our presence in South Sudan, Nigeria and DRC. By equipping local health workers to identify and track diseases and working closely with health ministries in endemic countries, we have ensured that our interventions have the best possible chance of being sustainable. The only way to eliminate the diseases that ravage lives unnecessarily is to strengthen country ownership. Some countries need more support than others, and CBM will continue this support, but all countries will benefit from greater ownership of their own health outcomes.
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