Leprosy and other NTDs

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases found in tropical and subtropical conditions and affect more than one billion people. They mainly affect populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors (an organism, such as an insect, that transmits a bacterium, virus, or other microorganisms that can cause disease) and domestic animals and livestock.

The World Health Organization has identified 17 NTDs affecting people in 149 tropical and subtropical countries. Leprosy and Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) are NTDs, and they cause disability. Along with leprosy, TLMTI addresses the problems caused by LF. Other NTDs which cause physical disabilities, such as post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and trachoma which are found in India, but are not found in areas where TLMTI works.