Malawi has stepped up its push for increased funding to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), warning that dwindling donor support could derail progress toward the 2030 target. Ministry of Health and Sanitation is now mobilising both domestic and external resources to sustain gains and accelerate efforts against diseases that disproportionately affect the poorest communities. Speaking at the Annual NTD Programme Managers Meeting in Lilongwe, held in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi said government is moving to prioritise NTDs in the national budget.

She said the goal is to ensure consistent funding and improved service delivery in line with the government’s broader universal health coverage agenda. “We want to make sure that these diseases are properly addressed in the budget and in service delivery,” said Baloyi, adding that the push is aligned with President Peter Mutharika’s commitment to accessible healthcare for all. Malawi has already recorded notable successes, including eliminating river blindness (onchocerciasis) in 2020 and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis).

But authorities say the focus has now shifted to sustaining those gains while tackling remaining diseases such as sleeping sickness. Baloyi stressed that the country is aiming to eliminate remaining NTDs by 2030, in line with global targets, while also managing long-term complications in affected patients. “NTDs are diseases of the poor and often left out of national budgets,” she said, urging African governments to integrate them into mainstream health financing and planning.

However, the biggest threat to progress may be financing. WHO Country Representative Charles Kuria Njuguna warned that global funding for NTD programmes is shrinking, forcing countries to rethink their strategies. He said: “The global envelope… has continued to dwindle.

With reduced support from partners, countries must strengthen domestic financing mechanisms and intensify advocacy.” Health officials say without sustained investment, hard-won gains could be reversed, particularly in vulnerable rural communities where NTDs remain endemic. The renewed funding push signals a critical shift: from donor dependence to homegrown financing—seen as key to keeping Malawi on track to meet its 2030 elimination goal.