To understand the challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for maximizing continuity of disease control during public health emergencies, we sought perspectives from Nigeria and Guinea on the process of restarting NTD control efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resources
Restarting Neglected Tropical Diseases Programs in West Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
In line with the WHO recommendations and guidance issued in April 2020, USAID advised Act | West to temporarily suspend NTD field activities.
Applying a quality improvement model to neglected tropical diseases program implementation: supporting programs in identifying keys for sustaining operations
West African neglected tropical diseases (NTD) programs have made great progress toward the elimination/control of NTDs amenable to preventive chemotherapy. However, some districts have failed impact surveys—notably for lymphatic filariasis and trachoma—due to implementation inadequacies, despite reporting good mass treatment coverage. A quality improvement framework has been initiated to strengthen country program interventions and address issues that hinder their ability to achieve the World Health Organization NTD road map elimination/control goals.
The workshop aims to present an innovative model for improving implementation and discuss ideas, strategies, and plans for initiating quality improvement (QI) activities. Experiences from Ghana and Sierra Leone in the design and implementation of the QI model will be shared.
Gender Analysis: Phase 1 Desk Review
The USAID Act to End NTDs | West program's two-phase gender analysis examines the differential impact of NTDs by gender, including how gender norms and power differentials may impact NTD program results and how the program can help advance gender equality. Phase one of the gender analysis consists of a literature review, drawing on published and grey literature, as well as an initial analysis of available quantitative data.