Advancing Wound Care and Rehabilitation for Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Resource-Limited Settings
Murhula Christian
ABSTRACT
Skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs) remain a major public health challenge in low-resource and humanitarian settings, disproportionately affecting marginalized and vulnerable populations. These conditions frequently lead to chronic wounds, disability, stigma, mental health challenges, and socioeconomic exclusion. Despite significant progress in global health responses to NTDs, access to quality wound care and rehabilitation services remains inadequate in many endemic communities.
This presentation explores practical approaches to strengthening wound care and rehabilitation for people affected by skin NTDs in resource-limited settings. It highlights the importance of integrated, community-based, and people-centered models of care that combine early detection, wound management, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, disability prevention, and social reintegration.
The manuscript discusses key skin NTDs associated with chronic wounds and disabilities, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, yaws, cutaneous leishmaniasis, podoconiosis, and noma. It examines the barriers that hinder access to care, such as weak health systems, poverty, inadequate training, stigma, conflict, forced displacement, poor sanitation, and limited rehabilitation infrastructure.
The paper further presents recommendations for strengthening integrated wound care systems through task-shifting, community health worker engagement, rehabilitation integration, digital health tools, local partnerships, and sustainable financing. Emphasis is placed on integrating wound care into primary health care systems and humanitarian responses while promoting dignity, inclusion, and long-term recovery.
The manuscript concludes that advancing wound care and rehabilitation for skin NTDs requires stronger partnerships, community participation, investment in health systems, and global solidarity to achieve the targets of the WHO NTD Road Map 2021–2030.
