CBM joins UK Coalition against Neglected Tropical Diseases

CBM, the overseas disabilities charity, has joined the UK Coalition against Neglected Topical Diseases (NTDs).

CBM UK CEO, Dr. Bill McAllister, said "We were particularly pleased to hear that CBM's expertise and commitment is considered to be a valuable contribution to the control and reduction of the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases and are looking forward to a successful collaborative partnership."

The goals of the coalition include many important issues. They will be working toward raising awareness among UK, European, international policymakers and the broader health community of NTDs as a key barrier to attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and poverty alleviation. To do this it will be vital to influence policy decisions to best support effective approaches for the long term sustainable control of NTDs.

All of the members of the coalition are working together to ensure that NTD control is included within national, regional and international health and development frameworks and to create strong collective identity within the UK on NTD control, supported by organisations delivering and supporting public health interventions to communities in extreme poverty.  In order to achieve this goal, it will be necessary to expand the numbers of organisation committed to supporting NTD control both within and outside the health sector.

The coalition was launched in September 2011.