Historic commitments to end neglected tropical diseases at COP28’s first ever Health Day

In the midst of COP28, I was filled with pride as African Heads of State and their representatives, including African philanthropists, took centre stage during the first ever dedicated health day at a climate summit. Their collective announcement of new commitments to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) was an historic moment.

A staggering US$777M was announced by countries, donors, philanthropists, and non-governmental organisations, to help meet the World Health Organization NTD Roadmap goals for 2030 at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum. The Forum, an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with the Gates Foundation , was held on December 3rd at COP28.

Even more exciting was the announcement of the expanded Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF), expanding from an initial US$100M across seven countries to an incredible US$500M, spanning 39 countries, including Yemen. The bold aim of the fund is to eliminate two major NTDs, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness), in Africa.

NTDs earned their name for a reason – these diseases and the people they affect typically have been overlooked, receiving very little attention and funding. I still meet decision makers overseeing national budgets, or heads of multi-lateral institutions in charge of major investments who are shocked to learn that these diseases still exist. “I thought we had long eliminated river blindness” and “leprosy still exists?” are just some of the reactions I encounter.

Thankfully, national programmes have been benefitting from strong political leadership and a small group of committed donors. Together, they have been leading the charge in ensuring that the populations affected by these diseases receive the treatments and care they deserve. On December 3, these donors went a step further when they committed additional resources to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and river blindness.

Whilst action is imperative across all 19 NTDs endemic on the African continent, river blindness and lymphatic filariasis affect a staggering 420 million people, representing 70% of those that require yearly preventive treatment. Failure to eliminate these two diseases in Africa jeopardises the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a 90% reduction in the number of people requiring an intervention against an NTD by 2030. The burden is immense - over 99% of people requiring treatment against river blindness and 11 of the top 15 high burden countries for lymphatic filariasis are found in Africa. We urgently need more action across the continent to support the elimination of these diseases.

This new fund announced by Reaching the Last Mile at COP28, signals hope for the children born in affected communities, meaning they will never have to fear losing their sight or contending with other life-long disabilities these devastating diseases can cause. It will mean that by 2030, a staggering 80% of countries affected by lymphatic filariasis and river blindness today, will be able to eliminate at least one of these diseases as a public health problem – signifying Africa’s substantial contribution to achieving the SDG target on NTDs.

It is for this reason that I took immense pride in witnessing The President of Tanzania, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Honourable Minister Austin Demby, representing H.E. Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and Mrs Tsitsi Masiyiwa , Executive Chair and Co-Founder of the Higherlife Foundation and Chair of the Board of the End Fund, each commit action, and funds to the elimination of these diseases.

Photo caption - from Left to Right: Dick Meyer Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) , Mrs Tsitsi Masiyiwa of Higherlife Foundation , H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE, HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE, Sir Christopher Hohn, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) , HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE, Mr Bill Gates Gates Foundation , H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE, Dr Zamir Iqbal, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) , Paige Alexander The Carter Center Austin Demby , Sierra Leone

For our collective efforts to bear fruit, African countries and African people must join forces with international partners to call for the end of NTDs and to commit the necessary political will and financial resources. We cannot expect external funders to join our fight or remain in it if we are not fully committed ourselves.

?This is why I am issuing a call to action – urging more African Heads of State to join the Presidents of Sierra Leone and Tanzania, and more African philanthropists to join Mrs Masiyiwa on this critical mission. Imagine the immense pride and satisfaction we will feel in 2030 when we can all get together and say, “I played my part. I contributed to the elimination of a disease.” Together, we can make this ambitious vision a reality.