In a historic move during COP28, the first-ever COP Health Day witnessed global donors pledging more than $777 million to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa. The initiative, led by Reaching the Last Mile (RLM) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to control, eliminate, and eradicate NTDs, benefiting 1.6 billion people worldwide.
At the 2023 Reaching the Last Mile Forum, held during COP28, donors responded to the urgent call to address NTDs in the context of climate change. The Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) saw a remarkable expansion from $100 million to $500 million, aiming to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness) in 39 countries across Africa and Yemen.
The collective pledge of $777.2 million marks a significant push to achieve the World Health Organization’s 2030 roadmap on NTDs. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude for the global solidarity, emphasizing that incredible progress over the past two decades demonstrates the achievable goal of a world free of NTDs.
World leaders, including Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, and Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone, showcased endemic country leadership against NTDs. Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, highlighted the link between climate change, poverty, and diseases affecting millions, emphasizing the critical need for healthcare funding.
The RLMF’s new $100 million commitment, matched by the Gates Foundation, represents a five-fold increase from its launch contributions. Additional support from partners, including Sierra Leone, the Carter Center, Sightsavers, CIFF, The Helmsley Charitable Trust, the END Fund, and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, will significantly broaden RLMF’s scope.
Over five years, the RLMF has provided 100 million treatments, trained 1.3 million health workers, and established nine laboratories, playing a critical role in interrupting river blindness transmission in Niger. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, praised the collaborative efforts, describing them as a beacon of hope and a testament to what can be achieved through united global action.
The expanded RLMF’s ambitious goal is to ensure over 350 million people no longer require treatment for NTDs by 2030. The initiative, amidst the challenges posed by climate change, represents a powerful demonstration of commitment to improving the lives of those affected by these devastating yet preventable diseases.
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