"In order to give the fight against neglected tropical diseases in Switzerland more visibility and to drive forward the necessary investments in research and education, we are working closely with all parties involved in the alliance: NGOs, educational institutes, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies," explains Lorenz Indermühle. After all, over one billion people worldwide suffer from neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy, Buruli ulcer and frambozia, to name but a few. "The poorest and most disadvantaged people in particular suffer from neglected tropical diseases, putting them at risk of falling into an even more hopeless spiral of poverty," Indermühle continues.
The United Nations has set out a roadmap to combat neglected tropical diseases in 2021. "Reducing the number of people affected, strengthening health systems, integrating programs and promoting research and innovation are the main pillars of the plan to demonstrably contain neglected tropical diseases by 2030," explains Lorenz Indermühle. "In the midst of global health crises, the fight against neglected tropical diseases remains shockingly neglected. These diseases suffer from chronic underfunding and lack of attention. If we fail to act, the consequences will be devastating - not only for health conditions in the affected regions, but also for global health."
SANTD was co-founded by FAIRMED in 2017 and its former Managing Director, René Stäheli, was the previous President. Lorenz Indermühle is delighted that he can continue the close relationship between FAIRMED and SANTD and that the new SANTD secretary will once again be based at FAIRMED: "FAIRMED and SANTD follow the motto of the UN's Agenda 2030. No one should be left behind. As neglected tropical diseases often affect the poorest, this guiding principle is all the more important."
