Accra, Ghana - A two-day meeting for the Neglected Tropical Disease Regional Programme Review Group (NTD-RPRG) on Preventive Chemotherapy Accra, Ghana (18-19 April 2016) was held in Accra, Ghana.

The purpose of the meeting was to advise the Regional NTD programme on country NTD plans, interventions and results for scaling up/down large scale preventive chemotherapy and evaluating impact of programmes towards the 2020 goals. 

In a welcoming address during the opening session, Dr Owen Kaluwa, Country Representative for World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana, indicated that Ghana like many countries of the region is very appreciative of the guidance given by the RPRG in the efforts to eliminate NTDs. "I am happy to report that this guidance continues to contribute to the great strides made by the Ghana Health Service PCT NTD Program over the years" he added.

Dr Kaluwa also mentioned that following approval of Ghana's joint application for medicines, the 2016 MDA program is being rolled out and that the program is in discussion with partners regarding the planning for the delineation mapping in onchocerciasis hypo-endemic areas as recommended by the RPRG. Dr Kaluwa also reiterated that the Ghana NTD program successfully conducted the Transmission Assessment Survey in 7 implementation units following the RPRG's approval of the eligibility requests.

"Consequently, for this meeting, the program has submitted the results of the TAS and is looking up to the RPRG to review and approve the results" he mentioned.
In a brief statement, Dr Magda Robalo, who is the Director for Communicable Disease Cluster (CDS) for the African Region emphasized that since the last RPRG meeting in Cotonou in October 2015, a number of follow-up actions and interventions have taken place at both country and regional levels.

"I am happy to report that 24 countries have been fully mapped for NTDs amenable to preventive chemotherapy, in particular Lymphatic Filariasis, Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis and Schistosomiasis, bringing the number to 41, which translates to 87% of countries in the African region" she added.

She also mentioned that with respect to treatment, over 318 million people at risk of lymphatic filariasis, Onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis had been treated in 2014.
Dr Robalo concluded by assuring participants that the Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, and entire CDS Cluster at the WHO Regional Office for Africa were working closely with WHO colleagues in Geneva and partners at country level and were committed to ensuring implementation of RPRG recommendations in countries. She finally wished them very productive discussions and reviews during the workshop period.  

The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Regional Programme Review Group (RPRG), as the technical advisory group, is involved in the provision of overall strategic and operational review of country and regional NTD programmes. It has the objective to assist in accelerating the control and elimination of targeted NTDs in the WHO African Region. The group undertakes review and makes decisions and recommendations to support national and regional efforts to reduce the burden of NTDs.

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For additional information, please contact:

Technical Contact:

Dr Owen Kaluwa: WHO Country Office Representative, Ghana, Tel +233 302-763918, Email:  kaluwao [at] who.int (kaluwao[at]who[dot]int)

Dr Sally Ann-Ohene, Disease Prevention and Control Officer, Ghana Country Office Tel +233 544-316021, Email:  ohenes [at] who.int (ohenes[at]who[dot]int)

Dr Benido Impouma, Regional Adviser-Neglected Tropical Diseases, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, WHO Regional Office for Africa. Tel: Tel: +4724139773, Email:  impoumab [at] who.int (impoumab[at]who[dot]int)

Media Contact:

Ms Joana Ansong: Tel: +233 544316017, Email:  ansongj [at] who.int (ansongj[at]who[dot]int)

Ms Pauline Ajello: Tel +233 503397487, Email:  ajellop [at] who.int (ajellop[at]who[dot]int)