Alan McCormick, Legatum Partner, said:

"Simple, treatable illnesses are still destroying people’s quality of life through malnutrition, disfigurement and blindness.

“They stop children from going to school, adults from being able to hold down a job, and trap whole communities in cycles of extreme poverty.

“Yet the reason these illnesses are called ‘neglected tropical diseases’ is because they’re so often forgotten about when governments and big international institutions get together - at events like CHOGM - to decide how to allocate their limited resources to make the world a better place.

“That’s why I’m delighted to announce that we are committing $26m to the fight.

“The fight against disease has been one of humankind’s – and Britain’s - most successful battles.

“And now in the 21st century, the hand of history is on the UK’s shoulders once again.”

The announcement coincides with a letter sent to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to use the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - a biennial summit meeting of the leaders from all Commonwealth nations - to push for action on NTDs.

Signed by 26 British Parliamentarians, the letter calls for Britain to make a commitment to eradicating NTDs.

The MPs echo Legatum's view that the group of 20 conditions - such as rabies, scabies and leprosy - could be eliminated within the next 10 years and action would represent a great success story for Global Britain.

Read further coverage in a British national newspaper here.