Global and regional experts gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre for the International Conference on Neglected Tropical Disease Research in Africa (InCORNTD) to address the increasing burden of NTDs on the continent.
From January 22 to 24, over 500 participants will explore innovative research, share findings, and collaborate on strategies to eliminate NTDs, which continue to devastate vulnerable communities across Africa.
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The conference highlighted the need for operational research in tackling NTDs and continued efforts to ensure sustainable solutions.
Dr Noella Bigirimana, Deputy Director General at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), commended Rwanda’s commitment to eradicating NTDs by 2030. She emphasised the government’s prioritisation of evidence-based interventions and cross-sectorial collaboration.
"Our senior leadership has committed to eliminating NTDs through domestic resources and strategic partnerships.”
She added that research is vital to developing interventions that deliver measurable impact.
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Dr Fallah Mosoka, Acting Director of the Science and Innovation Directorate at Africa CDC, spoke passionately about the human toll of NTDs, highlighting how these diseases perpetuate cycles of poverty.
"Millions suffer needlessly due to preventable diseases, reinforcing cycles of poverty,” Mosoka explained. He emphasised that the dehumanising effects of NTDs extend beyond physical illness, stripping people of dignity and livelihoods.
"These diseases disempower people and rob them of value, turning victims into beggars,” he said.
Mosoka called for bolstered efforts to address the structural inequalities that contribute to the prevalence of NTDs in Africa.
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Dr Heather Bailey, a representative from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), stressed the progress made in sub-Saharan Africa, where combined mass drug administration campaigns have yielded success. She pointed out milestones such as the elimination of Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) and African skin disease in several countries.
"Together, we have saved lives, strengthened communities, and invested in global health security. Yet, as the world evolves, so must our strategies to sustain these achievements, there is a need for updated approaches to maintain progress,” Bailey noted.
The conference also recognised the work of the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD), which has been instrumental in fostering research and partnerships across the continent.
Over the past decade, ARNTD has supported over 75 African scientists with grants and capacity-building initiatives, which have contributed to the development of innovative solutions for NTDs.
A representative from ARNTD said, "This work has boosted confidence among researchers and led to innovative solutions addressing one of the continent’s most pressing public health challenges.”
The event celebrated countries like Benin, Ghana, and Togo for achieving NTD elimination targets and encouraged others to integrate NTD programmes into universal health coverage. The importance of research, data systems, and community engagement was reiterated as essential components for meeting long-term sustainability goals.
Dr Mosoka emphasised the need for collaborative action, stating, "We must combine efforts to make Africa free of NTDs,” he said, reflecting the collective resolve to address these diseases through innovation and global cooperation.
The conference also made a connection between NTDs and mental health, with several speakers noting the impact of NTDs on the well-being and aspirations of affected individuals. Addressing this human aspect is critical for achieving the 2030 targets for NTD elimination.
Rwanda’s approach to combating NTDs, which includes mass drug administration targeting high-burden populations, has already demonstrated tangible results.
Dr Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, Division Manager of Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases at RBC, noted that soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, and podoconiosis remain the most common NTDs in Rwanda, with approximately 48 per cent of adults affected by soil-transmitted helminths alone.
"We are also educating communities on prevention because these diseases thrive in environments with poor sanitation and lack of clean water,” Mbituyumuremyi added.
He urged a united effort to address NTDs, calling for the engagement of local governments, health partners, and communities.
Kenya’s fight against NTDs was also highlighted, with Dr Maurice Odiere from the Kenya Medical Research Institute outlining the country’s strategic approach to NTD elimination.
Odiere pointed to Kenya’s five-year plan, which highlights collaboration between stakeholders and the incorporation of research and monitoring.
He acknowledged the challenges faced, including resource limitations, and suggested opting for domestic funding to reduce reliance on external donors.