WHO AFRO convened the first in-person meeting of the Regional Expert Advisory Group on Urogenital Schistosomiasis (TAG-UGS) in Brazzaville to advance a coordinated, systems-oriented response to female and male genital schistosomiasis. The meeting marked a strategic shift toward integrating UGS within sexual and reproductive health, HIV, cervical cancer, and primary care services—strengthening governance, monitoring, and sustainable financing to make genital schistosomiasis a visible public health priority across the African Region.

To mark World NTD Day 2026, WHO AFRO held an Onchocerciasis Awareness Session and “Walk the Talk” initiative at its Regional Office in Brazzaville, bringing together over 150 staff members. The event combined technical awareness, on-site ivermectin distribution, and a collective walk to promote prevention, staff well-being, and WHO AFRO’s continued commitment to eliminating neglected tropical diseases across the Region.

WHO NTD experts across Africa are taking elimination efforts to the hardest-to-reach communities—along rivers, forests, mountains, and nomadic routes—where disease persists as access fades. Through perseverance, community trust, and data-driven action, their work shows that ending NTDs depends not only on medicines and plans, but on a sustained commitment to reach the last mile.

A new open-access article in BMC Proceedings presents key insights from the 2025 Annual Meeting of National NTD Programme Managers in the WHO African Region, highlighting the need for sustained financing, stronger integration within health systems, and innovative digital solutions. The publication captures country experiences and strategic priorities to accelerate progress toward the WHO NTD Roadmap 2030 targets.