Public-private partnerships in neglected tropical disease control: the role of nongovernmental organisations

Summary

Successful public-private partnerships for health control have usually included non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs), and these have long been in the forefront of pinpointing particular social and health issues.

This article highlights the role of NGDOs in efforts to control and eliminate onchocerciasis in Africa. Efforts were coordinated through the formation of the NGDO group for onchocerciasis control, which subsequently catalysed the creation of similar groups for trachoma control and lymphatic filariasis elimination. These groups have now come together to form an NGDO Network for neglected tropical disease control.