Working together to #BeatNTDs - Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO Conference #NNN21

Girls drawing water from a pump, Nigeria

CBM UK is joining CBM Global and many of our worldwide partners at the 12th Annual Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO (NNN) Conference this week. The conference is taking place virtually on 7-9 September 2021.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are ancient diseases of poverty that impose a devastating human, social and economic burden on more than 1 billion people worldwide, predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas among the most vulnerable, marginalized populations. They include the blinding eye infection trachoma and river blindness or onchocerciasis.  NTDs are spread by human contact, insects, contaminated water and soil infested with the eggs or larvae of worms. Most are easy to prevent and to treat.

CBM UK Kirsty Smith will be moderating a workshop on 8 September focussed on “Enhancing Resilience: country-led, people-centred, holistic and inclusive approaches to NTD programming and livelihoods”.  The session will include contributions from our partners around the world, sharing the experience from our work together tackling NTDs. This workshop considers how more holistic and inclusive programming can address some of the multiple vulnerabilities experienced by people affected by NTDs at the “End of the road”. Programme examples will highlight the benefits of addressing intersectional issues and improving morbidity management including economic empowerment, stigma reduction, increasing access to WASH, responding to climate change, and improving mental health, as well as how to include community stakeholders more effectively in all stages of NTD programming.Contributors include:

  •  Chris Ogoshi, Director of HANDS: “The need for Holistic and Inclusive NTD programmes in Nigeria”
  • Suresh Dhondge & Mangala Dhondge, The Leprosy Mission Trust India: “The Role of Inclusive Livelihoods to promote Participation and Inclusion”
  •  Dr Afolaranmi Toloupe, University of Jos – Neglected Mind-Skin Link: “Findings from Mental Health and NTD research for people with lymphatic filariasis and leprosy”
  •  Aphuid Njeru, Africa Inland Church Kenya Health Ministries Programme Co-ordinator, Kenya Meru Inclusive Trachoma (MINT) Programme
  •  Lucy Nkatha, Disability Rights Champion and person living in area affected by NTDs – Kenya MINT programme: “Increasing resilience and inclusion of people affected by NTDs and living with disability – WASH and livelihoods in particular.”
  •  Victoria Bariu, CBM Kenya – “Role of government partnerships”
  • Theresa Baird, Senior Programme Officer of CBM UK and Jonathan Baltensperger, Programme Coordinator of CBM Switzerland will also join as facilitators during the session.

How does CBM UK tackle NTDs?

With our CBM Global partners, CBM UK supports NTD programmes in areas where these diseases are identified as a public health problem. We tackle  NTDs by:

  • Breaking the infectious cycle through mass drug administration
  • Helping those already affected by these infectious diseases
  • Preventing these diseases through Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

Danny Haddad, Inclusive Eye Health and NTD Director of CBM Global says:

“There is a need to address NTDs through a holistic lens, combining medical treatment, surgery, mental health, stigma, community based inclusive development and health education. CBM Global aims to achieve a programme that is inclusive, comprehensive, integrated, cross-cutting, holistic, person-centred and country-led.”

Read more about some of our current NTD projects:



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