Shaping the future of neglected tropical disease control: the role of international collaboration amid funding uncertainty in Africa

Abstract

Abstract Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) continue to pose significant public health challenges in low and middle-income countries, where under-resourced health systems and structural inequalities impede progress. This commentary argues that international collaboration is essential to advancing equitable and sustainable NTD and other tropical disease responses. Enhanced funding mechanisms, cross-border training initiatives and inclusive research partnerships can strengthen local capacity and improve access to diagnostics, treatments and preventive care. This is especially critical now, as recent US funding cuts have left programs in limbo threatening progress and sustainability. Emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and big data offer new opportunities for disease modeling and drug discovery but must be deployed with attention to its ethical use and equitable benefit-sharing. Global health diplomacy and coordinated policy frameworks are critical to sustaining momentum, notably as climate change and geopolitical shifts threaten gains so far. Addressing disparities in healthcare access and investing in locally led innovation are central to building resilient systems. We call for a reimagining of collaboration that moves beyond transactional engagement towards enhanced long-term, equity-driven partnerships that empower more LMICs to lead in NTD prevention and control. Such an approach is vital to achieving mainly the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, and by extension SDG 2, 4, 6 and 10, while ensuring global health security.