Thank you for contacting me about neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), for which I share your concern.
The UK has made significant achievements in its work to tackle NTDs worldwide. In particular, I note the success of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) £200m flagship health programme 'ASCEND', which sought to protect people globally from NTDs between 2019-2022. This initiative supported the delivery of over 156 million NTD treatments in over 20 countries.
Leadership and core funding from the UK have also been crucial in supporting the work of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, to ensure that neglected diseases and neglected patients are not left behind. Since January 2021, the UK has invested over £42 million in the delivery of services to prevent and treat NTDs, and in the strengthening of health systems to provide these essential services, as well as £15.6 million in research on NTDs.
It is, of course, important for the UK to consolidate past success with action going forward, and I welcome that the G7 leaders committed to continuing to address NTDs and work in partnership to strengthen health systems worldwide at the 48th G7 Summit.
I am pleased that new UK Government funding announced at the UN General Assembly 2023 will help tackle future pandemics, boost research into vaccines and reduce deaths from infectious diseases. This includes up to £103.5 million for developing affordable new vaccines through the UK Vaccine Network to halt the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, the UK is also supporting research and development into cutting-edge technology to respond quickly to disease outbreaks and improve the health of mothers, babies and children in low- and middle-income countries, including £295 million to develop new methods of administering drugs and a further £95 million to be allocated to the Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme II.
Furthermore, the UK Government published its International Development White Paper in November 2023, which has at its heart the principles underpinning the UK’s ongoing contribution towards ending extreme poverty and combating climate change. A key focus of getting the world back on track to meet the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) includes targets to end the epidemic of malaria and NTDs.
Indeed, conditions of poverty, such as inadequate access to water, sanitation, hygiene and health services, contribute to the persistence of NTDs. This is one of many reasons that I am proud that improving health equity is at the heart of the FCDO's approach to global health. Diseases of poverty also disproportionately affect women and girls, support for whom rightly forms one of four pillars of the Government's International Development Strategy.
Going forward, the UK will continue to invest in research into NTDs and support countries to strengthen their health systems, in turn ensuring continued progress towards the SDGs, including SDG Target 3.3 on ending NTD epidemics.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.