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 previous Government's flagship £200 million 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.
It is important that the current Government builds on the progress that has been made to tackle and raise awareness of NTDs. Indeed, in recent years leadership and core funding from the UK have 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.
While I am unfortunately unable to attend the event on 28 January due to prior commitments, I can assure you that I will keep the UK Government's effort to tackle NTDs under scrutiny.
Going forward, I believe that the current UK Government must continue to invest in research into NTDs and support countries to strengthen their health systems. The Government must also continue the progress of the previous Government towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG Target 3.3 on ending NTD epidemics by 2030.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
