Deutsche Welle: WHO: more than just drugs needed to fight tropical diseases
“In the past 10 years, ‘unprecedented progress’ has been made in tackling tropical diseases worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday. To continue targeting invisible killers like schistosomiasis, however, drug companies, aid organizations, and politicians must confront the added challenges created by poverty…” (Morris, 4/19).

Devex: Commitments made on neglected tropical diseases at WHO summit
“…Amid cheering for progress made, there was recognition that hundreds of millions of people still lack access to health care and quality diagnostics. Key challenges to be discussed in the coming days of the summit — which runs through Saturday — include the availability of affordable drugs and timely diagnostics, particularly in the absence of robust health systems in many of the affected countries, and continued out-of-pocket expenditure by patients…” (Patnaik, 4/20).

U.N. News Centre: Progress against tropical diseases must be backed by poverty alleviation efforts — U.N. health agency
“…Meeting global targets for water and sanitation, such as those under the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will be key. WHO estimates that 2.4 billion people still lack basic sanitation facilities such as toilets and latrines, while more than 660 million continue to drink water from ‘unimproved’ sources, such as surface water. ‘Further gains […] will depend on wider progress towards the SDGs,’ said Dirk Engels, director of WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases…” (4/19).

VOA News: Goal to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases Moves Ahead
“Governments and private donors have pledged $812 million to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) at a five-day summit convened to advance efforts to fight river blindness, sleeping sickness, schistosomiasis, and other disabling diseases of poverty…” (Schlein, 4/19).