At the 2023 Reaching the Last Mile Forum, global donors have collectively pledged an impressive US$777.2 million to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This landmark commitment signifies a crucial step toward achieving the goals outlined in the World Health Organization’s 2030 roadmap on NTDs. The donors, in collaboration with NTD-endemic countries, have responded urgently to address the impact of climate change on NTDs, aiming to enhance the lives of the 1.6 billion individuals worldwide affected by these preventable yet devastating diseases.
Hosted by Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), a global health initiative led by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the pledging event took place during the first-ever Health Day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The forum witnessed the participation of world leaders, including H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, and H.E. Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone, demonstrating endemic country leadership against NTDs.
Notable attendees such as Bill Gates and His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development Affairs at the UAE’s Presidential Court, announced a milestone expansion of the Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) from $100 million to $500 million. This expansion aims to eliminate two NTDs, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness), across 39 countries in Africa and Yemen.
Bill Gates emphasized the critical link between climate change, poverty, and diseases affecting millions, underscoring the need for funding in healthcare. The funding builds on the success of the RLMF, launched in 2017, which served as a model for eliminating NTDs in sub-Saharan Africa.
The commitment includes a five-fold increase from both His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed Al Nahyan and the Gates Foundation, further supported by contributions from various partners. Sierra Leone, the Carter Center, Sightsavers, CIFF, The Helmsley Charitable Trust, the END Fund, and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company are among the contributors. These commitments aim to broaden RLMF’s scope, intending to ensure that over 350 million people no longer require treatment for NTDs by 2030.
H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, and H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, expressed their pride and commitment to the cause, highlighting the sustained political commitment in Africa.
Over the past five years, RLMF has provided treatments to over 100 million individuals, trained 1.3 million health workers, and played a crucial role in interrupting the transmission of river blindness in Niger. The wider pledging moment witnessed multimillion-dollar commitments from various organizations and governments, aiming to close the funding gap needed to expedite progress towards WHO roadmap targets. These targets include the elimination of at least one NTD by 2030 in at least 100 countries, with a 90% reduction in the number of people requiring NTD treatment.
To date, 50 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, and 600 million people no longer require treatment. The commitments made will support essential programs, treatments, research, and innovations, fortifying frontline health systems to combat infectious diseases like NTDs in the face of climate change.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, expressed profound gratitude to the global community and the leadership of the United Arab Emirates. He highlighted the commitment as a significant stride toward eradicating, eliminating, and controlling NTDs, serving as a beacon of hope amid challenges posed by climate change.
The 2023 Reaching the Last Mile Forum brought together over 450 government ministers, global health experts, philanthropists, and civil society leaders to galvanize concrete commitments in addressing the impact of the climate crisis on human health.
Source: The Gates Foundation
About Reaching the Last Mile and the Gates Foundation
Reaching the Last Mile (RLM) constitutes a collection of global health endeavors, investments, and initiatives dedicated to disease elimination, propelled by the philanthropic efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. By means of collaborative partnerships and targeted programs, RLM extends treatment and preventive care to communities facing challenges in accessing quality health services, placing a particular emphasis on disease elimination in the most remote areas. The mission of RLM reflects His Highness’s commitment to eradicating preventable diseases affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations, with the overarching goal of enabling millions of children and adults to lead healthy and dignified lives.
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Driven by the conviction that every individual’s life holds equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to fostering the well-being of all people, empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. Its primary focus in developing countries is to enhance the health of populations and provide them with the means to overcome hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, the foundation strives to ensure that every individual, especially those with limited resources, has access to the opportunities necessary for success in both education and life. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the foundation operates under the leadership of CEO Mark Suzman, overseen by Co-Chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, along with guidance from the board of trustees.