The Neglected Tropical Disease Non-governmental Development Organization Network (NNN):

Abstract

The Neglected Tropical Disease Non-governmental Development
Organization Network (NNN) (www.ntdngdonetwork.org) is a
global forum for non-governmental development organizations
(NGDOs) working to control or eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): currently including, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis
(LF), onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis (SCH), soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and trachoma. Each of these diseases has elimination as a target where feasible and each receives generous
donations of medicines from the pharmaceutical industry. The
NNN was formed at a meeting in Accra, Ghana, in September
2009 when several existing NTD-specific coordination groups
combined forces following a general trend towards integrated
NTD control and elimination. Today, the NNN is composed of
five NTD-specific NGDO coordination groups: the LF NGDO Network; the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC)
(http://www.trachomacoalition.org/node/873); the NGDO Coordination Group for Onchocerciasis Elimination; the SCH/STH NGDO
Coordination Group; and the International Federation of
Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) (http://www.ilepfederation.org/
about-us/history-of-ilep/). In addition to these five disease coordination groups, the NNN has two thematic working groups:
1. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and 2. Disease Management, Disability and Inclusion (DMDI). These working groups
allow NNN members to address key cross-cutting issues that are
common to the targeted NTDs.