COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND MULTI-SECTORAL COLLABORATION AS DRIVERS FOR NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASE (NTDs) ELIMINATION

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) continue to impose a major public health and socioeconomic burden, with substantial morbidity and loss of productivity, especially among marginalized communities in low- and middle-income countries. These diseases, caused by a diverse group of parasitic, bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, can further perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality. Despite notable progress in control efforts, NTDs persist due to their historically low prioritization, limited community involvement, fragmented interventions, and insufficient cross-sector collaboration. Achieving elimination will require strategies that extend beyond biomedical tools to inclusive, community-led, and multi-sectoral actions. This paper explores how community engagement and collaboration across health, education, water and sanitation, agriculture, and social sectors can drive sustainable NTD elimination. It underscores the importance of empowered communities, integrated policies, strategic resource mobilization, and cross-cutting partnerships in reducing stigma, promoting equity, and advancing progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).