UK increases funding to fight neglected tropical diseases  

The UK government is investing about £200m in programmes to fight neglected tropical diseases, which affect more than a billion people in the world's poorest countries. 

The diseases include trachoma and river blindness.  Without treatment, river blindness, guinea-worm and trachoma can disable children and stop adults from working. 

The funding will go towards the distribution of tablets to treat diseases and research into new drugs.  Ministers said the aim was to eliminate neglected tropical diseases for good.  

The announcement comes ahead of a World Health Organization conference in Geneva dedicated to neglected tropical diseases and their eradication.

BBC