Devex: Opinion: How public-private partnerships are combating NTDs
Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa

“…Thanks to an innovative public-private partnership, we’ve seen remarkable progress against [neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)]. In an unprecedented move, 13 of the largest pharmaceutical companies have pulled together under the auspices of the CEO Roundtable and are executing the largest drug donation in history. … In a critical move to maximize the impact of this historic drug donation, last year the World Health Organization launched the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases, or ESPEN, a five-year project designed to help all countries on the continent reach their elimination goals by 2030. … In the fight against NTDs, we are reaping the fruits of unusual public-private partnerships: Big Pharma has joined with endemic country leadership, who are supported by technical leadership from ESPEN — and together they are making massive impact for the most vulnerable among us. We have united and are well on our way to tying up this NTD lion once and for all, bringing us closer to the goal of an NTD-free world” (12/15).