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Call for papers - Improvement of diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in resource-limited settings

Guest Editor

Ahmed Hassan Fahal, MBBS, FRCS, FRCSI, FRCS(Gal), MD, MS, FRCPath, FRCA(London), University of Khartoum, Sudan

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 5 May 2026

BMC Medical Genomics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Improvement of diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in resource-limited settings.

This Collection aims to highlight research focused on utilizing medical genomics technologies to enhance diagnostic methods for NTDs in resource-limited settings.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Meet the Guest Editor

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Ahmed Hassan Fahal, MBBS, FRCS, FRCSI, FRCS(Gal), MD, MS, FRCPath, FRCA(London), University of Khartoum, Sudan

Prof Fahal is a distinguished surgeon and academic, trained in medicine at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, where he also completed his post-graduate surgical training. He holds a consultant surgeon position at Soba University Hospital and serves as a professor of Surgery at the University of Khartoum, focusing primarily on mycetoma and tropical surgery. His leadership roles include Director of the Educational Development Centre and Founding Director of the Self Evaluation and Quality Enhancement Administration at the university. 

He has been instrumental in advancing scientific research in Sudan as the President of the Scientific Research and Innovation Agency and advisor to the Minister of Higher Education. As the founding Director of the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), Prof Fahal has turned it into a globally recognized authority on mycetoma, securing its status as the only WHO Collaborating Centre on the disease. 

He has an impressive research portfolio, with over 310 peer-reviewed publications and a total citation count exceeding 11,700, placing him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide.

Prof Fahal's commitment to advancing medical education is evident through his involvement in teaching, organizing workshops, and collaborating with the WHO. He has also made significant contributions to clinical research, establishing the EL Hassan Centre for NTDs Clinical Trials and leading the first double-blind clinical trial for mycetoma treatment. His advocacy led to the inclusion of mycetoma on the WHO's list of Neglected Tropical Diseases in 2016. 

He currently serves on several advisory boards and committees related to NTDs and continues to oversee community health initiatives, including establishing satellite centers in endemic villages that provide free medical care and support to over 1,000 patients. Prof Fahal's legacy is marked by his dedication to research, education, and community service.

About the Collection

BMC Medical Genomics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Improvement of diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in resource-limited settings.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) pose a significant health burden in many low-income regions, where access to effective diagnostics is often limited. These diseases encompass a diverse group of infections caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Improving diagnostic capabilities is crucial for early detection, accurate identification, and effective management of NTDs, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality.

Recent advances in medical genomics such as next-generation sequencing and point-of-care testing have revolutionized our ability to detect and characterize NTDs in resource-limited settings. These advancements enable researchers to identify specific biomarkers, understand pathogen-host interactions, and develop targeted diagnostic assays that can be deployed in the field.

This Collection aims to highlight research focused on enhancing diagnostic methods for NTDs in resource-limited settings. We invite submissions that investigate novel diagnostic technologies, the integration of genomics into diagnostic workflows, and the implications for public health and disease management in resource-limited settings.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Image credit: © busracavus/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Gettyimages

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles, Database, Software, Case Report, Study protocol, Matters Arising and Comment. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Improvement of diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in resource-limited settings" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.