Commemoration of World NTD Day 2026 at the WHO Regional Office for Africa

Brazzaville (Congo) - On 30 January 2026, Expanded Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) and the WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases will commemorate World NTD Day at the WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, under the global theme “Unite. Act. Eliminate.” The event will highlight the continued burden of neglected tropical diseases in the African Region while reinforcing the importance of collective action to sustain progress towards the WHO NTD Roadmap 2030 targets.

The commemoration will focus on onchocerciasis (river blindness), a disease of local relevance in Brazzaville, through a practical awareness session explaining transmission, prevention, and elimination strategies, including the role of mass drug administration. To translate awareness into action, the programme will include a symbolic ivermectin distribution at the WHO AFRO Clinic, followed by a Walk the Talk activity on the AFRO campus, promoting solidarity, visibility, and shared responsibility in ending NTDs

By combining information, engagement, and visible action, World NTD Day 2026 will reaffirm that eliminating NTDs is achievable when countries, partners, health workers, and communities unite and act together to protect the most vulnerable and sustain hard-won gains