What is the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases?

The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (The Global Network) is a member organization formed in 2006 to raise the profile of neglected diseases and to stimulate a paradigm shift in disease control efforts. The major public-private partnerships devoted to the control of individual diseases have agreed to work together in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to design an integrated drug administration platform that addresses seven of the neglected tropical diseases - trachoma (eye infections), soil-transmitted helminths (hookworm, ascariasis, trichuriasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis (snail fever) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis).

The aim of the Global Network is to contribute toward achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by eliminating and controlling the neglected diseases through an integrated mass drug delivery approach. There are clear links between health and poverty. World experts in neglected diseases have come together in an international forum to plan for the first wide scale implementation and monitoring of an integrated mass drug administration program. A synergistic approach will streamline operational activities, improve efficiency and ensure that the priority health needs of impoverished communities in the lowest income countries are met.

Ridding the developing world of these ancient afflictions means providing affected populations with the means and the roadmap to enhance local economies, access education, eradicate poverty and build sustainable economies.

In order to achieve its objective, the Global Network will:

• Serve as fundraiser and repository of funds for NTD control and the implementation of rapid impact packages. Fundraising by the Global Network is intended to be additive, i.e., it will supplement not replace the efforts of the GNNTDC constituent partners.
• Allocate funds raised by the Global Network to the constituent members, country-level control managers, or foreign health ministries in consultation with the Global Network Chairman and the Global Network Advisory Board.
• Provide advocacy for the integrated platform for NTD control and elimination and the development of new NTD control tools such as vaccines.
• Assist at the national program level to develop capacity for NTD control (strengthening health systems).
• Assist at the national program level to develop capacity to link NTD control with malaria control.