The Diseases

The Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network was established in October 2009 to create a global forum for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working to control onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths, trachoma, and leprosy. These Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) share a common strategy of community-based health interventions that can be integrated to strengthen health care systems.

NTDs affect the poorest populations in the developing world. Those afflicted with these diseases live in remote, rural areas, urban slums, or conflict zones where there is little money for medication and health care. Control of NTDs is often overlooked in favor of higher priority diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. One sixth of the world's population — more than one billion people — suffers from one or more NTD. The NGOs work independently and as a group to alleviate the suffering and poverty caused by these diseases.

  • Onchocerciasis

    Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a parasitic disease caused by the parasite onchocerca volvulus, transmitted by multiple... Read more

  • Trachoma

    Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. It is caused by infection from the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis which spreads through contact with eye discharge from an infected person – via hands, towels... Read more

  • Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted helminths

    Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematode flatworms. Larval forms of these parasites are released by freshwater snails, which then penetrate... Read more

  • Lymphatic Filariasis

    Lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease caused by thread-like worms of the genus ... Read more

  • Leprosy

    Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. Leprosy is curable and... Read more