Recentering African agency in NTD research: dismantling colonial health hierarchies
Original framing: “Decolonising Neglected Tropical Diseases research in Africa: insights, challenges and promising practices” — bing news
The current structure of global health research is rooted in colonial-era scientific and medical hierarchies. During the colonial period, African health knowledge was systematically devalued and replaced with Western models. This historical pattern continues to shape who leads research, who owns data, and whose solutions are considered valid.
The decolonization of NTD research in Africa is not merely a matter of representation but a systemic reimagining of global health structures.
By recentering African agency, integrating traditional knowledge, and decentralizing data and decision-making, we can move toward a more equitable and effective health system. Historical patterns of colonial control over knowledge and resources must be actively dismantled through policy, funding, and institutional reform. Cross-cultural collaboration and community participation are essential to this process, as they provide alternative models and ensure that interventions are grounded in local realities. The future of NTD research must be co-created with African communities, not imposed from the outside.