‘‘Manifesto’’ for Advancing the Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases

Abstract

This editorial puts forward eight points about the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): 'all NTS are \'tool ready\' ' – for most such diseases there is some sort of control measure that could be introduced; 'all NTDs are \'tool deficient\' ' – in many cases these measures are suboptimal, incomplete or inadequate; 'all NTDs are \'most neglected\' ' – formerly neglected diseases like malaria and tuberculosis have received much more attention in recent years, but many other neglected diseases remain neglected; 'there is a profound human rights dimension to NTDs'; 'NTDs destabilize societies and contribute to conflict'; 'involvement by the WHO and other international health agencies is crucial for current and future NTD control'; 'building health systems under the leadership of health ministries in disease-endemic countries and the communities is a high priority'; and 'moving forward through a global strategy combining access and innovation'