On World NTD Day 2025, Converse Up Africa is answering the worldwide name to “Unite, Act, Remove” with its GO BEYOND initiative. Pushing the battle towards uncared for tropical illnesses (NTDs) into uncharted territory by mobilizing a various coalition of voices. Bringing collectively artists and athletes to these dwelling with and affected by NTDs, with a robust deal with girls and youth. GO BEYOND goals to construct a neighborhood motion to encourage higher prioritization of NTDs on the well being agenda, elevated investments and a extra person-centred neighborhood strategy to NTD options, for the greater than 1 billion folks worldwide affected by these preventable and treatable illnesses in a continent that shoulders 40% of the illness burden.
World NTD Day is a time to have a good time the progress achieved – twenty-two African nations having eradicated at the least one NTD by the top of 2024, with a number of eliminating a number of, highlighting the continent’s robust dedication to public well being. The world is now midway to reaching the WHO NTD roadmap 2030 goal of 100 nations, eliminating at the least one NTD by 2030.
This present day can also be a chance to deal with the challenges forward of us: strengthening well being techniques, the hyperlink between NTDs and local weather change in a world going through rising environmental adjustments and the shortage of person-centred and community-led approaches.
The GO BEYOND initiative explores new alternatives within the battle towards NTDs by involving the folks and communities affected by uncared for tropical illnesses (NTDs). We harness their invaluable experience and guarantee options are tailor-made to precise wants. We problem and GO BEYOND conventional approaches to well being advocacy by encouraging cross-sector collaboration, amplifying neighborhood voices, and fostering inclusive partnerships. These champions exemplify the facility of range, setting a brand new normal for what it means to unite, act, and eradicate NTDs.
“By means of GO BEYOND, we’re amplifying the voices of artists, athletes, and neighborhood leaders throughout Africa to rework how we battle uncared for tropical illnesses. By bringing these various views to decision-makers, we’re constructing the political momentum and grassroots engagement wanted to eradicate NTDs as soon as and for all”.says Yacine Djibo, Govt Director and Founding father of Converse Up Africa
For World NTD Day, the GO BEYOND initiative will deliver collectively youth leaders, musicians and artists throughout Senegal, Kenya, and Ethiopia and join communities by way of the facility of sport in Benin and Senegal. In partnership with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), younger folks will discover ways to stop and deal with NTDs of their communities and their opponents on the court docket by competing in a basketball match. Communities throughout Niger, Burkina Faso, and Kenya may also host workshops and well being screenings to lift consciousness and enhance detection of their communities.
Champions throughout Africa will unite to help the elimination of NTDs this World NTD Day through the use of their voices, platforms and experience to make sure sustainability, effectiveness, and fairness within the battle towards NTDs.
The time for motion is now. We name on world leaders to display their dedication by embedding NTD elimination targets into nationwide well being insurance policies, allocating devoted price range strains, and integrating NTD packages into common well being protection plans.
Success calls for a coordinated response – from governments rising home funding, to personal sector companions investing in modern remedy supply, to donors sustaining their very important help. The financial value of inaction far exceeds the worth of elimination.
Collectively, we should GO BEYOND conventional approaches and forge new partnerships that put affected communities on the heart of options. This World NTD Day, be a part of us in constructing a future the place tropical illnesses are now not uncared for.
About Converse Up Africa
Converse Up Africa is a Senegal-based group dedicated to constructing an Africa the place development and sustainable improvement are pushed by African residents themselves. We unite, encourage, and advocate. With a deal with strategic communications, insurance policies, and advocacy, we’re devoted to serving to African leaders and residents actively take part in figuring out and growing options to handle main challenges on our continent akin to malaria, uncared for tropical illnesses, vaccination, sanitation, gender equality, and world well being analysis and improvement.
