Why S-E Asia must lead the fight against neglected tropical diseases

One pressing challenge is the need to develop a new generation of public health leaders across the region.

- Tuck Seng Wong and Kang Lan Tee

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a persistent public health threat, and tackling them is not just a moral obligation, but also a smart investment.

NTDs are a group of infectious diseases that affect mainly poor people in tropical and subtropical regions. These diseases are called "neglected" because they have received less attention and fewer resources than other major health issues, despite affecting more than a billion people worldwide.

NTDs disproportionately affect the poorest communities in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), where they lock people in cycles of poverty by hindering physical and cognitive development, reducing school attendance and limiting economic productivity.

Wealthier nations experience far lower rates of these diseases. Yet it's in LMICs that cost-effective interventions like improved water, sanitation, hygiene, and vector control—methods used to limit or eliminate insects that spread diseases to humans—can deliver the greatest return. According to the World Health Organisation, every dollar invested in controlling and eliminating NTDs can yield up to US$25 (S$32) in economic and health benefits, through lower healthcare costs, increased productivity and improved education outcomes.

While vaccines are one of the most powerful tools for disease prevention, there are still no vaccines for most NTDs. Progress has been slow, due largely to fragmented funding and limited investment in research. This gap continues to leave millions vulnerable.