1 December 2022, Monrovia: Not only is combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) crucial independently, but it can also contribute to poverty reduction, improved quality of health, and Universal Health Coverage. The expiration of Liberia's NTD masterplan in 2021 created a gap in strategic guidance for NTD response. The NTD master plan is also key in informing resource mobilization for related programs. Recently, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, embarked on a series of activities to revise and update the NTD Masterplan for the period 2022–2027.

The development of the new NTD masterplan has included technical working sessions to conduct a programmatic review, situation analysis, resource mapping, and gap analysis to feed into a broader stakeholder workshop to develop the first draft. Through this vigorous exercise, the revised NTD Masterplan has been aligned to a number of strategic documents, including the Liberia National Health Policy and Plan 2022–2031; the Liberia Essential Package of Health Services, Version II; the WHO Framework for Monitoring and Evaluating Progress of the Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021–2030; the Global Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) Strategy 2021–2030; and the WHO Strategic Framework for Integrated Control and Management of Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021–2030. These strategic processes are key to accelerating movement towards the attainment of control and elimination of NTDs in Liberia.

  “Gaps identified in the last Masterplan will be addressed in the revised Masterplan with focus on integration of service delivery “, said Mr Karsor Kollie, Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD) Program Manager- Ministry of Health

WHO has been key in providing technical and financial support to the development of the NTD Masterplan, which saw 3 international consultants joined the WHO Country Office NTD focal point to support these processes, which was then followed by a wider stakeholder engagement in a 3-day workshop to develop the first draft of the NTD Masterplan.

 “WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners, to accelerate progress towards elimination of NTDS in Liberia and contribute to the 2030 targets,” said Dr Moses Jeuronlon- WHO Liberia NTDs focal point.

This exercise has become a reality, thanks to support from the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of NTDs (ESPEN).  Other key players involved in the NTD Masterplan development include Sightsavers, American Leprosy Missions, and a local NGO representing MAP International.

The NTD Masterplan will guide the national NTD response in Liberia, specifically the integration of NTD service delivery, strengthening collaboration between the NTD Program and other relevant MOH programs, intersectoral collaboration for One Health approach, and integration of NTDs response in the Health System, including the laboratory, Health Information, and Community Health systems.  The validation of the NTD Masterplan is scheduled for the second week of December 2022.

Neglected tropical diseases continue to impose significant health burdens on some of the most disadvantaged communities in developing countries, including Liberia, as such the development of cutting-edge strategies to eliminate the burden is critical.  Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are communicable diseases associated with poverty, and are common in places with substandard housing, limited potable water supply, and poor sanitation. According to estimates, the NTDs affect more than a billion people worldwide. Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), Buruli Ulcer, Leprosy, Rabies, and Yaws are some of the NTDs that are endemic in Liberia.