Abstract

The inhabitants of informal settlements face a variety of challenges due to a lack or poor functioning of primary social and welfare services, and formal infrastructure provided by the state, making them more susceptible to various diseases. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are significant causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality in most impoverished and neglected communities like informal settlements, especially in the global south. The NTDs are viewed as ‘forgotten diseases of forgotten people’ and ‘diseases of poverty’. In these circumstances, people usually build their own social networks, connections, and opportunities to enhance their capacity to acquire the required social assistance. This paper diverts the attention of researchers to discover the existing potential of social infrastructure and a mechanism of self-governance in informal settlements. Based on the WHO recommendations and the 2030 roadmap to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the prevention and control of NTDs, it is imperative to explore and engage pre-existing social capital networks to mobilize and integrate with available infrastructure in response to the NTDs.

Biography of speaker

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