COVID-19 and neglected tropical disease innovation

When COVID-19 forced Sightsavers and partners to pause some NTD programmes in Africa, we immediately began working to adapt and restart them as quickly and safely as possible.

Sightsavers works with governments, partners and donors to create a world in which we can control and eliminate five painful neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which affect over a billion of the most vulnerable people.

So when the pandemic forced us to pause many of our programmes to combat NTDs in Africa earlier this year, we knew it was vital to find ways to safely resume our programmes so we could carry on protecting those who need it, build on the gains made to eliminate the diseases, as well as supporting governments with their COVID-19 responses.

To this end, and with the support of funders, partners and ministries of health, we have spent the last few months innovating and adapting programmes, always putting the local needs of every community at the centre of what we do.

Here are some of the ways innovation is helping us respond.