Since April 15, 2025, Lomé has been hosting a crucial continental meeting on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Nearly 150 public health experts from 48 African countries are gathering under the auspices of the WHO to develop common strategies against these diseases, which primarily affect vulnerable populations.
Organized under the theme “Innovate to Accelerate: Pathways to Eliminating NTDs”, this international workshop pursues three main goals:
- Assess the progress made in combating these diseases
- Identify ongoing challenges
- Define innovative approaches to reach the 2030 targets
What sets this gathering apart is its inclusive approach. “Involving affected communities is essential to designing appropriate solutions”, emphasizes Agbétiafa Koffi, community representative to the WHO.
Technological innovation and regional cooperation have emerged as key priorities. Participants are reviewing:
- New diagnostic methods
- Innovative therapeutic approaches
- Sustainable financing mechanisms
- Community-based prevention strategies
Togo, the host country, is making a valuable contribution to the discussions. As the first African nation to eliminate four NTDs (dracunculiasis, lymphatic filariasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and trachoma), it is sharing its experience with others.
“This choice reflects international recognition of Togo’s efforts,” says Amadou Bailo Diallo, WHO’s interim representative in Togo. The country aims to use this platform to strengthen regional partnerships and promote multisectoral approaches. The work in Lomé aligns with the global roadmap for NTD elimination and aims to accelerate progress in Africa, where these diseases still plague the poorest communities.
This meeting marks an important step in the continent-wide mobilization against NTDs and could lead to the creation of a stronger framework for collaboration among African nations, with concrete commitments to intensify the fight in the years ahead.
