The Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases is housed in WHO's Division of Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases.
The Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases coordinates and supports policies and strategies to enhance global access to interventions for the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases, including some zoonotic diseases.
Consistent with World Health Assembly resolutions and in line with the new WHO NTD road map, we support Member States to expand access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care interventions for all those in need.
Why we work
Neglected tropical diseases cause immense human suffering and death. They pose a devastating obstacle to health and remain a serious impediment to poverty reduction and socioeconomic development.
How we improve access to health
Universal coverage against neglected tropical diseases depends to a large extent on enhanced access to free essential medicines and on stronger, well-planned, financially sound and efficient health systems.
We aim to prioritize the public health needs of poor and marginalized populations and provide technical and strategic guidance in key areas; coordinate the distribution of donated medicines; promote WHO’s role in partnership involvement; strengthen capacity country level capacity; and, leverage the contribution of stakeholders to the elimination and eradication of these diseases.
We deliver interventions through appropriate technology at sustainable cost and with the help of international partners, we support Member States in the coordination and integration of national control programmes with sectors such as education, agriculture and veterinary public health.
Contact details
Director's office
Our team
Dr Raman Velayudhan
Unit Head, Veterinary Public Health, Vector Control and Environment
Email: [email protected]
Team Lead, Skin NTDs, Disability Management and inclusions
Telephone: +41 22 791 2803
Telephone: +41 79 500 65 35
Email: [email protected]
Dr Albis Francesco Gabrielli
Team Lead, Knowledge Management & Unit Head a.i., Strategic Information and Analytics
Telephone: +41 22 791 1876
Telephone: +41 79 475 55 14
Email: [email protected]
Dr Jonathan King
Team Lead, Community and Primary Care Based Interventions
Telephone: +41 22 791 1423
Telephone: +41 79 500 65 68
Email: [email protected]
Dr Dieudonné Sankara
Team Lead, Eradication and Elimination
Telephone: +41 22 791 2164
Telephone: +41 79 593 34 85
Email: [email protected]