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UK Coalition for Neglected Tropical Diseases to raise awareness of neglected tropical diseases in the UK Parliament

28 January 2025

On 28 January 2025, ahead of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, Unlimit Health as a member of the UK Coalition against Neglected Tropical Diseases will host an event titled Voices of Resilience: Community Perspectives and UK Partnership to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) at the House of Lords. 

NTDs affect more than 1.7 billion people (1 in 5 globally) with most of these people living in poverty in low-to-middle income countries where the majority of the UK Coalition for NTDs members and observers operate. 

The event will bring to the fore the voices of affected communities and health ministries of affected countries to share their experiences, perspectives, and calls to action for the global community of stakeholders.  Speakers will include people with lived experience of NTDs including Mulikat Owanlawon, President and Co-Founder of Elysium Noma Survivors Association, and Dan Izzett, Leprosy Ambassador as well as Dr Anthony Solomon, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization, and Dr Sahar Bakhiet from Sudan. 

The reception will be an opportunity for the UK Coalition to call on the UK government to reinstate its global leadership on NTDs through comprehensive inclusion of NTDs within health systems, while ensuring dedicated funding for research and implementation. 

The Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, will also be speaking at the reception, with opening remarks by Professor The Lord Trees. 

Also in attendance will be the children whose drawings were shortlisted for a poster competition to raise awareness of NTDs among UK children, organised jointly by Unlimit Health and The Leprosy Mission. Unlimit Health CEO Dr Wendy Harrison will speak and share prizes with the children.  

The UK has a proud legacy of leadership and expertise in this field, and today’s event is an opportunity to chart a course for even greater impact through genuine, open, and transparent partnerships with affected communities, health ministries, and civil society.