History and
achievements
History and
achievements
History and achievements
What is TDR?
A World Health Assembly resolution in 1974 called for the establishment of a research programme that became TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. TDR is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty. It is a cross-UN agency, co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and WHO.
We receive core funds from a range of governments across the globe, all committed to using research evidence to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Since its earliest days, TDR has been focused on supporting research to improve the control of infectious diseases and strengthening the capacity of disease-affected countries to perform valuable health research themselves.
Who do we serve?
TDR supports people and institutions in countries and communities where communicable diseases have a major impact on health and livelihood. Over time, TDR has evolved to meet changing needs, moving from a focus on neglected tropical diseases to a focus on the well-being of neglected and vulnerable people and communities. Many factors create environments where the burden of infectious disease is unacceptably high, for example, low socio-economic status, lack of education, inefficient and under-resourced health systems, stigma and discrimination, geographical location and limited access to water and sanitation.
What have we achieved?
Over the last 50 years, TDR’s approach has led to significant achievements, including the co-development of 13 new drugs for infectious diseases, such as malaria, leprosy, leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness and river blindness. We have also partnered with WHO and countries on five major elimination campaigns for neglected tropical diseases – leprosy, river blindness, Chagas disease and lymphatic filariasis globally, and visceral leishmaniasis on the Indian subcontinent.
TDR has invested in the expansion of national and regional research capacity to support this approach. Today, at least three generations of researchers are part of the TDR Global community, including many who have become prominent global health leaders in their countries.
Key achievements: The impact of TDR’s 2018–2023 Strategy
Evidence to policy: new solutions applied in countries since 2018
115
instances when research projects supported by TDR informed policy and/or practice in countries to tackle infectious diseases of poverty
Research grantees and trainees supported since 2018
850
scientists supported through programmes such as the Postgraduate Training Scheme, Impact Grants for Regional Priorities and the Clinical Research and Development Fellowship Programme
Institutions and networks strengthened since 2018
20
research institutions and networks in disease-endemic countries expanded their scope of activities or increased fundraising because of TDR support
Evidence to policy for elimination of visceral leishmaniasis
TDR has supported scientists in Bangladesh and Nepal who have conducted implementation research on strategies for eliminating visceral leishmaniasis (also known as kala-azar). This research has informed efforts to deliver single-dose treatment to rural populations and validated an innovative diagnostic test. Such research findings have been incorporated into national elimination guidelines – a powerful example of research for decision-making. New efforts to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis in Eastern Africa are now drawing on the success and lessons learned from this project, showing how we have catalysed South-to-South learning and exchange.
How are we evolving?
An important factor in our success has been our ability to respond to changing global health challenges, while maintaining our core principles. While major milestones have been achieved with the development of new health products, implementation of these innovations remains a major challenge. A lack of solid implementation research evidence at the country level has been identified as a weak link in the chain from product discovery to health impact and was recognized as an area of research where TDR could best make a difference. Since 2012, our strategy has shifted from a focus on discovery research and product development towards a greater emphasis on research to implement these health tools and resources.
