Accra, 30 June 2012 -- This year's African Regional Meeting of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Programme Managers ended on Saturday (30 June) in Accra, Ghana, with the adoption of a number of recommendations aimed at advancing the cause of the fight against NTDs in the region.

The meeting recommended that countries prepare credible national NTD master plans with comprehensive, realistic budgets and annual action plans; finalize these plans by 2013 and use them as a platform for coordinating programme partners, drug donation and operational research; and explore synergies with other health programmes for effective collaboration.

Other recommendations to countries were that they should allocate a budget line to NTDs in ministries of health for NTD programme implementation; demonstrate ownership and leadership of NTD programmes; and undertake high-level advocacy by engaging key profile people in awareness-raising campaigns. Such campaigns should also be undertaken at district level to facilitate the inclusion of funding needs at the district level for NTD programme implementation.

It was also recommended that countries streamline the application and supply of drugs and complete disease mapping and baseline assessment surveys to determine the burden of NTDs prior to administering chemotherapy or undertaking other NTD public health actions. In addition, integrated and coordinated mapping should be undertaken to maximize the use of the limited human, financial and logistical resources in countries with multiple NTDs.

The meeting recommended that the WHO Regional Office for Africa should provide technical support to countries for activities such as developing NTD multi-year plans, and the mobilization of resources to facilitate the completion and implementation of national master plans.

WHO should also define indicators to measure achievement of targets regarding NTD roadmaps; make special efforts to increase the visibility and inclusion of trachoma as an NTD while exploring approaches to work closely with Trachoma partners; and create regional platforms at which key stakeholders, donors, pharmaceutical firms, IGOs and national and international NGOs can interact to discuss and streamline programme strategies and operational plans to facilitate the aggregation funding.

On coordination mechanisms, the meeting recommended that WHO explore opportunities to set up approaches for coordination mechanisms at regional and national level to strengthen collaboration among all stakeholders by enhancing synergies in the implementation of NTD programmes in Africa.

Regarding drugs application and supply, it was recommended that drug donors maintain and reinforce their commitments while WHO uses innovative approaches, including web-based platforms, to improve the efficiency of response to requests for medicines used for preventive chemotherapy treatments.

The three-day meeting was closed by the WHO Representative in Ghana, Dr Idrissa Sow, representing the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo.

Dr Sow congratulated participants on the positive outcomes of the meeting; thanked partners for their attendance and constructive inputs and commitment to the fight against NTDs as well as their support to endemic countries grappling with the diseases.

The WHO Representative alluded to discussions during the meeting on NTDS and Emergencies. He suggested that Programmes Managers should liaise with WHO Country offices to include relevant interventions aimed at improving access to drugs, supplies and services for NTDs in the flash appeals, Consolidated Appeals and other life- saving projects during complex emergencies. "I can reassure you that the regional office will quickly address this issue," he said.

The meeting was attended by more than 100 participants including Programme Managers of NTDs in endemic countries, donor agencies, pharmaceutical firms, technical experts policy makers and senior officials of WHO and other national and international NGOs.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr Idrissa Sow, WHO Representative, Accra, Ghana; Tel: 0544310775; Email: sowi [at] gh.afro.who.int (sowi[at]gh[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Dr Felicia Owusu-Antwi; Tel: 0544310775; Email: owusu-antwif [at] gh.afro.who.int (owusu-antwif[at]gh[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int); Tel: 0244311172

Dr. Onyeze Adiele; Tel: +47 241 39 161 Fax: +47 241 39 503Email: onyezea [at] afro.who.int (onyezea[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Samuel T. Ajibola; Tel 0203928687; Email: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int (ajibolas[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Souleymane Kone, tel:0540926974 Email: ksouleymane [at] ci.afro.who.int (ksouleymane[at]ci[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)