For Fikre Seife, the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is deeply personal. Growing up in a community affected by these diseases, he saw firsthand how they disproportionately harm the most vulnerable—preventing children from attending school, limiting economic opportunities, and reinforcing cycles of poverty. This experience set him on a path to public health, determined to find sustainable solutions that break the cycle of transmission.
We are proud to share that Fikre, our PRISM Program Manager, has been elected Co-Chair of the WASH Working Group at the NTD NGO Network (NNN)—a global coalition dedicated to eliminating NTDs through collaboration and innovation. With over 12 years of experience in public health program design, policy leadership, and team management, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Ethiopia’s national NTD program and strengthening primary healthcare initiatives.
At NALA, Fikre has been instrumental in driving PRISM, our Centre of Excellence that fosters collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based strategies for NTD elimination. Through PRISM, NALA works with governments and partners to develop scalable solutions that integrate WASH, behavioral change, and standardized monitoring frameworks—ensuring interventions are not only effective but also sustainable. Now, in his new role, he will help drive global efforts to embed WASH into NTD prevention strategies, strengthening systems and creating long-term health improvements worldwide.
Congratulations, Fikre! Your passion and dedication continue to inspire us all.
If you want to continue reading about Fikre, click here.