ECSA-HC Signs MoU with Uniting to Combat NTDs to Accelerate Elimination Efforts

Lusaka, Zambia | 26 August 2025 – On the margins of the 75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC75), the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The partnership marks a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to eliminate NTDs and strengthen health systems.

Globally, an estimated 1.62 billion people require interventions against NTDs, with 36% living in Africa. Despite commendable progress, the continent is not yet on track to meet the 2030 elimination targets. Encouragingly, some African countries have already achieved historic milestones, including:

• Malawi: elimination of lymphatic filariasis and trachoma
• Kenya: certified free of Guinea worm

These successes demonstrate that with strong leadership, surveillance, community engagement, and partnerships, elimination is possible.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The MoU outlines five priority areas of joint action:

1. Strengthening health systems for NTD prevention, care, and treatment
2. Developing and disseminating regional policies and protocols
3. Joint resource mobilization to sustain and scale interventions
4. Advocacy for increased domestic investment in NTD programmes
5. Harmonized implementation and monitoring across Member States

Moving Forward

ECSA-HC Director General Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, in his remarks at the ceremony, emphasized the urgency of embedding NTDs into national health budgets, including primary health care, WASH, nutrition, and One Health strategies. He highlighted the importance of leveraging digital tools such as DHIS2 to integrate NTD data for real-time decision-making, promoting peer learning across Member States, and protecting elimination gains through enhanced surveillance and elimination dossiers.

The partnership also responds to current funding challenges, particularly the sustainability threats posed by the withdrawal of some major donors. Together, ECSA-HC and Uniting to Combat NTDs will pursue innovative financing mechanisms to ensure continuity of services and progress towards elimination.

Next Steps

• Launch a joint regional workplan prioritizing countries nearing elimination or at risk of reversal
• Roll out digital microplanning and surveillance tools in upcoming mass drug administration cycles
• Mobilize funding for surveys, morbidity management, and cross-border coordination

A Shared Commitment

By combining Uniting to Combat NTDs’ global advocacy role with ECSA-HC’s position as a regional convener and technical partner, this MoU establishes a clear pathway to accelerate NTD elimination, mobilize resources, and build stronger, healthier communities across the ECSA region.