Mission
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) is an independent global programme of scientific collaboration. Established in 1975 and co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), it aims to help coordinate, support and influence global efforts to combat a portfolio of major diseases of the poor and disadvantaged.
Objectives
Research and Development: to improve existing and develop new approaches for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and controlling neglected infectious diseases which are applicable, acceptable and affordable by developing endemic countries, which can be readily integrated into the health services of these countries, and which focus on the health problems of the poor
Training and Strengthening: to strengthen the capacity of developing endemic countries to undertake the research required for developing and implementing these new and improved disease control approaches
TDR’s Diseases
TDR focuses on neglected infectious diseases that disproportionally affect poor and marginalized populations.