World NTD Day 2025: Early Career Grant Research into NTDs
To mark World Neglected Tropical Disease Day (World NTD Day) 2025, we spoke to a number of our Early Career Grant awardees about what this year’s theme of ‘Unite, Act, Eliminate’ means to them and why they chose to focus on NTDs in their Early Career Grant research.
Manuel Molina
"Chagas disease significantly impacts indigenous communities in Colombia, with high prevalence and limited access to healthcare. Women of childbearing age face unique challenges to receiving antitrypanocidal treatment due to pregnancy risks and cultural practices, such as short inter-gestational periods and resistance to modern contraception. This pilot programme introduces temporary contraception to enable safe treatment, aiming to reduce congenital transmission and improve health outcomes. Cultural barriers, coupled with geographical isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and the need for trust-building with indigenous leaders, highlight the complexities of intervention in these communities. Addressing these challenges is key to improving their health."
Sagar Parajuli
"Every year, dengue cases are surging in Nepal and the frequent outbreaks have been reported in the few decades. However, the preparedness and readiness seem suboptimal, untimely and uncoordinated in the health system.
"Having an interest in intersection of climate change and public health, and believing in the utmost need and urgency of health system resilience for combating emergence of dengue, I carried out my research project on assessing primary healthcare system preparedness for dengue epidemics in Bagmati Province of Nepal. The project assessed primary healthcare facilities preparedness and readiness for the dengue, and majority of health facilities were found with suboptimal readiness. The project as conclusion centers around strengthening primary healthcare facilities for dengue control program coordinating with multiple and diverse stakeholders for collective and collaborative efforts.
"‘Neglected Tropical diseases being ‘public health threat’ of today require an unsolicited and collaborative global effort through lens of an intersection of climate change, and public health.’"
Donna Kapira
"Rhodesian Human African Trypanosomiasis (r-HAT), caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and spread by tsetse flies, poses risks to pregnant women, yet its effects on maternal and neonatal health remain poorly understood. My research focuses on r-HAT prevalence in pregnant women in Malawi and its health outcomes, addressing a critical gap in tackling this neglected disease. By centering these vulnerable populations in the fight against r-HAT, this work exemplifies the need to unite efforts, act on evidence, and eliminate neglected tropical diseases, contributing directly to this year’s theme: Unite. Act. Eliminate."
Bouaka Calmes
"Skin-related NTDs such as leishmaniasis (cutaneous leishmaniasis) have been relatively more “neglected” among NTDs by public health initiatives, research, and drug development. Therefore, people affected experience disabilities and deformities leading to considerable stigma, discrimination, isolation and vulnerability. I choose this area of research to bring back attention on leishmaniasis in Cameroon and skin NTDs in general. Indeed, my RSTMH project will provide knowledge on the vector-mammalian-parasite contact to help informing stakeholders and control program on the parasite transmission dynamics, which is a prerequisite and starting point for designing adequate control measures for sustainable elimination."
Mythily Vandana
"Though men and women are equally affected by Leprosy, women in rural India are more vulnerable due to additional gender-specific healthcare needs, as well as social and cultural practices. Working with The Leprosy Mission Trust India, I wanted to explore the intersections and the mental health impact of Leprosy disability among women in the state of Chhattisgarh, which is burdened with one of the highest Leprosy rates in India. With this study, we aimed to illuminate the specific needs of women with Leprosy disability and foster discussions that can impact advocacy and policies to improve their quality of life."
Nathan Singano
"Leprosy is a curable but neglected tropical disease that remains a significant health challenge due to its ability to cause disability. Malawi attained the WHO leprosy elimination status in 1994, however, the resurgence of new cases has raised critical questions about the factors contributing to this re-emergence. This motivated my research to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to leprosy among community members and healthcare workers, alongside evaluating existing leprosy control interventions. This study aims to inform evidence-based strategies for strengthening leprosy surveillance, diagnosis, and management in Malawi by identifying gaps in awareness, stigma, and healthcare delivery."
Read Nathan's blog for World Leprosy Day 2025 here.
Charles Byaruhanga
"Rabies manifests with a range of symptoms, but ultimately leads to death. In Kenya, rabies is endemic across the country, but there is still limited surveillance in the country, due to limited health-care services and traditional beliefs. Anecdotally, Siaya County experiences relatively high rabies incidence compared to the rest of the country. My research project contributes to the World Health Organisation goal of reducing the number of dog-mediated human rabies deaths to zero by 2030, through increased education and awareness amongst health care workers and the community and to improve health-seeking behavior."
Eunice Chinazom Jacob
"Driven by my early experiences in rural areas, where I witnessed the harsh impact of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), our project 'Evaluating the Impact of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis, Schistosomiasis, and Female Genital Schistosomiasis on Teenagers’ Mental Health in Nigeria' examines how these infections affect adolescents’ mental well-being. By collaborating with local NTD units and incorporating gender-sensitive approaches, we deliver practical, community-driven solutions tailored to local contexts. Through robust engagement and environmental assessments, we unite stakeholders, act swiftly with sustainable interventions, and ultimately aim to eliminate these diseases, fostering a healthier, more resilient future for teenagers in line with the 2025 theme: 'Unite. Act. Eliminate.'"
Evelyn Munayco Pantoja
"I chose to focus on 'Enablers and barriers to SAFE interventions for trachoma elimination in indigenous Amazonian populations of Peru' because trachoma remains a major health challenge in remote communities. The SAFE strategy—Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements—is key to eliminating this preventable disease. However, indigenous populations face unique barriers in accessing these interventions. My project aims to identify these barriers and enablers, ensuring that the SAFE strategy can be effectively tailored to local contexts, bringing us closer to eliminating trachoma as a public health problem."
Pamella Adongo
"How can healthcare systems better support marginalized communities, particularly nomadic pastoralists, during health crises?
"Access to healthcare remains a challenge in rural areas, with marginalized nomadic communities facing poor access. Community health workers (CHWs) played a vital role in bridging healthcare gaps during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite facing challenges like insecurity and limited resources. Their efforts highlighted the increasing health inequities, especially in nomad pastoral communities. The RSTMH grant helped us to sheds light on CHWs' crucial roles and challenges, aiming to inform policymakers on future support for these workers during pandemic situations.
"Let’s honor their efforts this National Day."