At the heart of the InCORNTD 2025 Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, NALA’s booth became a vibrant hub of discussion and collaboration, showcasing our commitment to innovative, community-centered solutions in NTD prevention. One of the standout moments came from our engagement with attendees eager to learn about our research on environmental factors influencing disease transmission, particularly through our snail mapping project. Our research manager, Noa Dahan, passionately explained how controlling these environmental elements can significantly reduce the spread of neglected tropical diseases.
A particularly insightful moment arose from discussions around research conducted by Epidemiologist Lydia Trippler from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Zanzibar, which highlighted that mass drug administration alone wasn’t sufficient to interrupt schistosomiasis transmission. Instead, sustained community engagement in prevention proved essential. This finding aligns with NALA’s philosophy—ensuring that change is not just implemented but owned by local communities.
The conference also highlighted a growing recognition of our work within the sector. Attendees from various countries, including Uganda and Nigeria, expressed keen interest in NALA’s innovative approaches to tackling diseases such as podoconiosis and leishmaniasis. This enthusiasm reinforces our belief that collaborative, community-led strategies are vital for achieving sustainable health improvements.
InCORNTD 2025 was not just an opportunity to share our work but also to learn, connect, and reaffirm that our mission resonates globally. The path ahead is ambitious, but with collaboration, creativity, and strong partnerships, we are poised to drive lasting change.