Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative (GBUI)

Credit: National Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Ghana

The Global Initiative

GBUI was established in 1998. It is a partnership of Member States, academic and research institutions, donor agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the World Health Organization and others dedicated to:

• Raising awareness about Buruli ulcer disease in the context of neglected tropical diseases at all levels in order to increase its profile and obtain commitments from governments, policy makers and donors for its research and control;

• Supporting endemic countries to strengthen their health systems to improve access to early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disability;

• Strengthening Buruli ulcer surveillance systems and obtaining a more accurate data at local, national and global levels;

• Promoting and supporting priority research to develop better tools for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Buruli ulcer.

Purpose of the website

This website provides basic information on the disease, activities of different organizations and institutions and is intended to facilitate networking among different groups of people and organizations.

What is Buruli ulcer ?

Buruli ulcer is a neglected tropical disease caused by a germ which affects mainly the skin, but can sometimes affect the bone. The causative organism is called Mycobacterium ulcerans which belongs to the same family of organisms that cause leprosy and tuberculosis. For more information about this intriguing disease, please read the fact sheet below:

Fact sheet
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