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Skin-NTDs Symposium Highlights from the 16th NNN Conference

Skin-NTDs Symposium Highlights from the 16th NNN Conference

Author: Dr. Morvarid Zehtab, ILDS Postdoctoral Fellow
(incoming Dermatology Resident Physician at the Medical College of Wisconsin)

Attendees at the opening of NNN conference

The 16th Annual Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Non-Governmental Organization Network (NNN) Conference, themed Sustainable Innovations for Impact – Transforming the Fight Against NTDs, took place from 30 September to 2 October 2025 in Kampala, Uganda.

The collaborative fight against NTDs was showcased with the participation of over 50 countries involved as stakeholders, policy makers, community leaders and persons-affected by NTDs, Ministry of Health members, NTD care providers and researchers.

The urgency of co-creating scalable innovations with affected communities and mobilising resources through cross-sector collaboration was evident now more than ever in the ongoing fight to eliminate NTDs, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global effort to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Opening Plenary

The conference opened with remarks from Dr Gilbert Baayenda, NNN Chair, followed by powerful testimonies from community advocates Ms Eliza Madirisa from Uganda, who is affected by lymphatic filariasis; Ms Amaka Stella Onyima-Esmai from Nigeria, affected by Buruli ulcer; and Mr Brima Kpeh from Sierra Leone, affected by leprosy.

They emphasised the importance of enabling and empowering community leaders to take ownership of initiatives from the very beginning, including programme design, moving beyond tokenism toward true leadership.

A warm welcome and keynote address were delivered by Uganda’s Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, who highlighted the importance of championing sustainability and unity during a cautious time for global health. This marked a significant milestone for Uganda and for all delegates, as it was the first NNN Conference to be hosted in the country.

Dr Rie Yotsu and Dr Niraj Parajuli with a poster highlighting the road to the successful adoption of the WHA resolution and future directions displayed at the symposium
Dr Rie Yotsu (NNN SCCG Chair) and Dr Niraj Parajuli (Vice Chair) with a poster highlighting the road to the successful adoption of the WHA resolution and future directions displayed at the symposium

Skin-NTDs Symposium 2025: First Session

The Skin-NTDs Symposium, held on 2 October 2025, was a joint initiative between the NNN Skin Cross-Cutting Group (SCCG) and the World Health Organization (WHO) NTD Department, supported by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and the International Foundation for Dermatology (IFD). The ILDS and IFD remain steadfast in their shared mission to achieve Skin Health for All, including the elimination of skin-related NTDs.

The meeting, themed Advancing Integration of Skin-NTDs and Driving Action through Partner Collaboration, was inspired by the historic World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution “Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority", adopted on 24 May 2025.

The symposium, co-hosted by Dr Rie Yotsu, NNN SCCG Chair, and Dr Niraj Parajuli, Vice-Chair, focused on next steps for implementing the resolution, identifying anticipated challenges, and developing strategies to overcome barriers through “virtuous cycles” of sustainable progress. More than 100 participants took part in the discussion.

Panel discussion at NNN Skin Symposium
Panel discussion with Dr. Alfred Mubangizi, Dr. Fatai Oyediran, Dr. Gilbert Baayenda, Dr. José Antonio Ruiz Postigo. Co-led by Dr. Rie Yotsu and Dr. Niraj Parajuli.

The first session featured thought-provoking presentations from leaders in the NTD field. Dr Kingsley Asiedu from the WHO NTD Department opened with an overview of the journey toward the WHA resolution, lessons learned from previous skin-NTD initiatives, and strategies to guide its implementation.

Dr José Antonio Ruiz Postigo, also from the WHO NTD Department, provided insights into global capacity building from the WHO perspective.

Jose Postigo

“Where there's a will there's a way, and there’s no way without you.” Dr. José Antonio Ruiz Postigo, Medical Officer at WHO

Professor Gail Davey shared an update on a scoping review of the WHO Global Action Plans to inform the development of a dedicated action plan for skin diseases. Mr Geoff Warne highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration for successful implementation of the resolution, drawing lessons from leprosy programmes.

Dr Borna Nyaoke-Anoke shared perspectives on sustaining progress in mycetoma research, one of the most neglected skin-NTDs, while Dr Rie Yotsu reinforced the relevance of the resolution to the broader skin-NTD community.

The session ended with a panel discussion featuring representatives from the WHO, Ministries of Health of Uganda and Nigeria, and NTD NGO leaders, focusing on how to mobilise and coordinate resources to implement the resolution.

Panelists agreed that the main challenges include financing, partnerships, political commitment from Member States, and coordination across the WHO’s operational levels and stakeholders. The discussion concluded with a shared message: the only way forward is through unity and collaboration around a common mission.

Skin-NTDs Symposium 2025: Second Session

The second session featured collaborative workshops with group discussions focused on four key challenge areas for integrating skin-NTDs:

Workshop: Skin diseases as part of primary healthcare provision
Workshop: Skin diseases as part of primary healthcare provision. Moderated by: Dr Sebastine Oiwoh (Vice-Chair, WHO Group on NTD Integration at Country Level), Ms Inés Egino (Anesvad Foundation), and Dr Erick Sylivester (One Health Society, Tanzania)
Workshop: Mental health issues and ways to tackle them
Workshop: Mental health issues and ways to tackle them. Moderated by: Dr Maya Semrau (Senior Research Fellow in Implementation Research, University of Sussex, Brighton) and Mr Elisha Pembese (Amref Health Africa, Tanzania)
Workshop: Patients as leaders for Skin Resolution support. Moderated by: Mr Amar Timalsina (IDEA International) and Mr Yona Yongaza (Youth NTD Advocate)
Workshop: Research priorities for skin-NTDs in the context of the Skin Resolution. Moderated by: Dr Liesbeth Mieras (NLR International) and Dr Anil Fastenau (German Leprosy and TB Relief Association)

The discussions generated a range of fruitful ideas and initiatives, representing the diverse voices of stakeholders from across the NTD community. The outcomes of these conversations will be synthesised and shared in a forthcoming publication.

NNN Overall Conference Highlights

The three-day NNN Conference was action-packed, featuring workshops, rapid-fire plenary sessions, presentations and networking opportunities over coffee breaks, receptions and shared meals.

Delegates shared expertise on specific NTD programmes, lived experiences and innovative ideas for action.

Dr Morvarid Zehtab ILDS Postdoctoral Fellow (left) with Dr Niraj Parajuli, Dr Rie Yotsu and Dr Sebastine Oiwoh

The event centred on six key subthemes:

  • AI and Digital Health in NTD Management
  • Community-Driven Innovations
  • One Health Approaches to NTDs
  • Strengthening Health Systems for NTD Elimination
  • Climate Change and NTDs
  • Sustainable Financing and Investment in NTD Programmes

The rapid-fire sessions allowed diverse experts to present key findings in concise and engaging formats, while cultural highlights, such as a traditional Ugandan drum dance, added a memorable and heartfelt touch to the event.

Key Takeaways

  1. The NNN Conference served as a global platform for NGOs and partners to champion a cross-sectoral approach to eliminating NTDs. Strong participation from organisations worldwide helped maintain the momentum needed to beat NTDs.

  2. The Skin-NTDs Symposium marked a milestone as the first in-person forum to discuss implementation of WHA Resolution 78.15, “Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority”. The event brought together leaders from governments, WHO, NGOs, clinicians, researchers, affected communities, and youth representatives to identify next steps. Intensive, workshop-based discussions captured a wide range of perspectives, with outcomes to be published as guidance for implementation.

  3. Inclusion of affected communities as leaders, alongside active engagement from Ministries of Health, stakeholders, and WHO, is essential to drive progress on skin-NTDs. Unified voices will be critical as efforts move from resolution development to implementation of the Global Action Plan for Skin Diseases.

  4. The discussions and collaborations fostered during the symposium helped build trust, collective action, and a shared vision for implementing the WHA Resolution on skin diseases—an important step toward achieving Skin Health for All.