Large leishmaniasis skin lesions on armThe neglected tropical diseases programme aims to prevent and control neglected tropical diseases through providing technical support to national control programmes in the planning, implementation and evaluation of control activities. The programme also coordinates international bodies to strengthen disease control and research.

The strategy for controlling helminthic diseases is based on mass drug administration. Helminthic diseases include schistosomiasis (bilhirzia), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), and soil-transmitted nematode infections. As for the control of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm) the objective is to eradicate the disease by interrupting transmission. Other neglected tropical diseases, such as leprosy, are controlled by the use of antibiotics to treat patients.

The current control strategy for human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and leishmaniasis is mainly based on systematic case-finding and prompt treatment of patients.