Tanzania Leads the Way in Combating Neglected Tropical Diseases
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a significant health burden worldwide, affecting over 1.7 billion people. These diseases, caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses, and toxins, can lead to blindness, intense pain, and perpetuate poverty. Africa bears the heaviest burden, with over 600 million people still waiting for treatment. However, Tanzania is making significant strides in combating NTDs, with a strategic focus on five preventable diseases and a commitment to financial independence.
Tanzania’s NTD program focuses on lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis (bilharzia), soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms), and trachoma. According to Dr. Clarer Jones Mwansasu, the NTDs Programme Manager from the Ministry of Health, “These diseases can be effectively managed through preventive or curative care.” The program goes beyond simply distributing medication, with a strong emphasis on community engagement, advocacy, and behavioral changes.
The country has made significant progress in reducing the spread of NTDs, with the transmission of lymphatic filariasis interrupted in 119 out of 184 councils, and trachoma transmission stopped in 69 councils. However, challenges remain, including financial constraints and competing health priorities. Dr. Mwansasu acknowledged these challenges, calling on the global community for support and flexibility in funding.
Tanzania’s efforts to combat NTDs have attracted international attention, with the country developing a systematic approach to documenting geographic coverage for trachoma, meeting WHO criteria for elimination validation. The program tracks every stage through a patient-centered data system, and the approach has attracted interest from other countries seeking to learn from Tanzania’s experience.
The global goal is to eliminate 20 NTDs by 2030, with the main goals including reducing by 90% the number of people who need treatment for NTDs, decreasing by 75% the illness and disability they cause, and helping at least 100 countries eliminate one NTD. As of May 2025, 56 countries have successfully eliminated at least one NTD, putting the world more than halfway toward the 2030 goal.
Tanzania’s progress toward its NTD targets is significant, with the country achieving 76% reduction in the number of people requiring chemotherapy, equating to about 39.4 million fewer people requiring treatment. Much of this success has come from interventions against lymphatic filariasis and trachoma.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain, including the climate crisis, which is becoming a significant threat to the fight against NTDs. The climate emergency affects the spread of NTDs and response efforts, especially in areas with limited access to clean water and healthcare. Tanzania is experiencing this firsthand, with the Maasai community’s seasonal migration patterns creating challenges for intervention programs.
The country is also addressing gender barriers in access to treatment, with men often missed during interventions due to work patterns, and some women excluded due to cultural norms requiring spousal approval. Education plays a central role in sustaining progress, with school-based interventions and integration of NTD awareness into the curriculum.
Tanzania’s efforts to combat NTDs demonstrate the country’s commitment to developing its health sector and achieving financial independence. The country is on track for a healthier future and the elimination of NTDs with continued integration, community engagement, and domestic commitment. As Dr. Mwansasu said, “Tanzania is keen on accelerating the domestic financing strategy to ensure the sustainability of interventions.”
