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CBM UK’s Inclusive Approach to NTDs at 15th NNN Conference 

Posted on: Monday, September 30th, 2024
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Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of treatable and preventable diseases that continue to affect over one billion of the world’s most marginalised people. Together with our partners, CBM UK is attending the annual Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO (NNN) Conference from 1st – 3rd October 2024, joining delegates from over 50 countries, all working towards a shared vision – a world free of NTDs.

The 15th Annual NNN Conference is taking place in-person in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference will see NTD practitioners, government leaders, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders deliberating on challenges and solutions for tackling NTDs. 

At CBM UK, we welcome the theme for this year’s conference; “Collaboration for Change: Fostering Global Equity and Strengthening Community Engagement in NTDs.” Community engagement is key to the holistic and inclusive approach we take to tackling NTDs. This is  particularly important for reducing stigma, and supporting people with NTDs to earn a living and thrive within their communities.  

Together with our partners, we tackle NTDs with a holistic and inclusive approach: 

  • Supporting those already affected by NTDs 
  • Breaking the infectious cycle through mass drug administration 
  • Preventing disease through Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) 
  • Integrating mental health services 
  • Promoting access to inclusive livelihoods 

CBM UK and our partners will be well represented at the event by a diverse team of experts who are passionate about making a difference: 

Julian Eaton, Director of Community Mental Health, CBM Global 
Theresa Baird, Senior Programmes Officer and Holistic NTDs Focal Point, CBM UK 
James Cleobas, Anesvad Programme Co-ordinator, CBM Nigeria 
Maureen Pali, CiSKuLA Programme Coordinator, HANDS, Nigeria 
Morris Kirimi, Director, Caritas / DOM Spark, Kenya  
Gabriel Afolayan, Programme Development & M&E Officer, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria 
Dr Tunde Ojo, Coordinator-National Mental Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria 
Prof. Taiwo Obindo, Consultant Psychiatrist, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria 

Dr Tunde Ojo, Coordinator-National Mental Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria – “I am looking forward to attending the NNN Conference in person for the first time, It will be an immersion exercise for me to see what is happening in other countries with integrating mental health into tackling NTDs. For me it will be a really important meeting, to shape  my ideas on what to back home.”

Julian Eaton, Director of Community Mental Health, CBM Global – “We have made significant progress on including mental health, it is now solidly on the agenda – but we need to get to the next level with donors to scale up mental health in our approach to NTDs.”

We are pleased to be invited to run two workshops during the conference:  

Workshop 2.3 – Breaking the NTD – Disability – Poverty cycle: Addressing social determinants of NTDs is imperative 

We co-created this workshop with Fairmed (Nepal), HANDS (Nigeria) and our partner DOM SPARK / Caritas (Kenya). It explores our holistic approach to NTDs – including inclusive WASH, Mental Health & stigma reduction, inclusive livelihoods.  

Untangling complexity: Measuring NTD-related stigma in routine programmes 

Amina’s Story

At the event we are also proud to share a new film featuring Amina, a woman affected by Lymphatic Filariasis and a participant in CiSKuLA, our holistic NTD project in Nigeria, delivered by our local partner HANDS. Amina learned how to manage her condition, became a trader, and tells us, “now I have my health back and my peace of mind as well.”