Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa 

KIGALI, July 17, 2018 – The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) will gather from 17-19 July 2018 in Kigali, national Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Programme Managers and partners at its first annual meeting. The objective is to review the regional and national progress towards NTDs elimination in Africa.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of NTDs (ESPEN) to help all African countries accelerate the elimination of the 5 most prevalent NTDs by sharing best practices, coordinating activities and offering technical guidance. “Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) programmes harness diverse partnerships to drive impact – including across sectors, and countries.

NTDs are a group of communicable diseases that affect more than 1.5 billion people globally, 39% of whom live in Africa. NTDs are a diverse group of tropical infections which are especially common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are cause by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths.

With entire nations struggling under the burden of these diseases, increased financial support, stronger political commitment and better tools to prevent, diagnose and treat the diseases are vital to defeat NTDs”, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director.

Throughout the African continent, countries made progresses towards NTD control and elimination. In 2017, Togo eliminated lymphatic filariasis whereas Ghana eliminated trachoma.

« I am grateful and honored that this meeting is being held in Rwanda, to receive NTDs program managers in Kigali and WHO Rwanda technical leads. I applaud Togo and Ghana about their accomplishments and encourage other countries including Rwanda to eradicate NTDs by 2020 », said Rwandan Minister of Health Dr Diane Gashumba.

About Rwanda NTD Programme

The NTD programme was established in June 2007, with a $ 3 Million 3 year grant from the Legatum Foundation through Geneva Global and Columbia University’s Access Project. From December 2016, the program is implementing a grant of $1.7 Million for a period up to September 2018, with direct partnership between the GoR and the END Fund. With the above partnership, the program focused on:

• Intestinal worms:  65% (2008); 45% (2014)
• Schistosomiasis (bilharzia):  2.7% (2008); 1.9% (2014)
• Trachoma and Lymphatic filariasis were also mapped in 2008 and found not being public health threats.
• Training of laboratory technicians on NTDs diagnosis, of nurses and physicians on clinical management of NTDs
• Training on NTDs for all 45,000 CHWs will be implemented from June until July 2018.

Since 2008, Mass Deworming campaigns against intestinal worms for high risk
population (children from 1 to 15 years) and against bilharzia (children from 5 to 15 years) have been deployed in endemic areas such as  lakes and marshes. This mass treatment campaign is implemented mainly via the Maternal and Child Health’s organized every 6 months.

 « I particularly appreciate the theme of this meeting, Reaching Everywhere – Towards 2020, as it reminds us of the principles of the SDGs and UHC of leaving no one behind in the quest to eliminate NTDs from Africa » said the WHO Representative, Dr Olushayo Olu.  He further encouraged the meeting facilitators and participants to “formulate practical and innovative solutions which would address the challenges of NTDs in Africa”

About ESPEN

With a secretariat based in WHO AFRO headquarters in Brazzaville, ESPEN contributes to the control and elimination of the five-leading neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) responsive to preventive chemotherapy (PC-NTDs), leveraging on the commitment of pharmaceutical companies’ donation of effective medicines. By helping countries control and eliminate theses NTDs, ESPEN contributes to poverty alleviation, improves economic productivity and quality of life for affected people in Africa. With the support from ESPEN, Ministries of Health systems can achieve universal healthcare and strengthen their health systems for the benefit of the most vulnerable communities in Africa.