On June 11, 2014, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives to support the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the United States and abroad. H.R. 4847, the “End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act,” calls for the expansion of USAID’s NTD program; increased U.S. Government advocacy for NTDs among international development and financing institutions; reporting from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on NTDs in the United States; the creation of one or more NTD centers of excellence to increase research and development (R&D); and the establishment of a panel on intestinal worm infections, one of the most pervasive NTDs.

MUMBAI, INDIA – February 10, 2014 – The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (Global Network) today named Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood superstar and international humanitarian, as its first official END7 campaign ambassador in India to help raise awareness of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Mr. Bachchan joins the END7 campaign at a crucial time, with India at the tipping point of achieving control and elimination of five NTDs affecting 500 million people by 2020.