The Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative (GBUI) is a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative to coordinate global efforts to control Buruli ulcer,[1]aninfectious disease characterized by the development of painless open wounds.[2] It was started in 1998[3] after a 1997 visit to Côte d'IvoirebyHiroshi Nakajima, who was then the general director of the WHO,[4] recognizing the lack of research and a growing disease burden.[5]
Initially established with funding from the Nippon Foundation, as of 2020 the GBUI involves more than 40 nongovernmental organizations, research institutions, and other foundations.[4] A 2004 WHO resolution "called for increasing surveillance and control, and for intensified research to develop tools to diagnose, treat and prevent" Buruli ulcer.[4] In 2009, a strategy to promote early detection and provide wider access to antibiotics was adopted.[6] A bi-annual meeting is held in Geneva to bring researcher institutions, nongovernmental agencies, and representatives from countries with Buruli ulcer together.[7]
