Seven years ago, the removal of taxes and tariffs on insecticide treated nets (ITNs) was considered one of the easiest resolutions for most countries to implement among the targets agreed upon at the African Summit on Roll Back Malaria in Abuja, Nigeria, on April 25, 2000. However, seven years later, 24 of the 39 Abuja signatories continue to impose taxes and tariffs on this life-saving tool. Taxes and tariffs significantly increase the price of an insecticide treated net, reduce affordability, and discourage the commercial sector from importing insecticide treated net products. Consequently, Roll Back Malaria partners are engaged in advocacy efforts to remove taxes and tariffs on insecticide treated nets in malaria-endemic countries of Africa. This viewpoint summarizes key obstacles to the removal of taxes and tariffs that have been identified through a review of country situations. To achieve the goal of producing and supplying more than 160 million insecticide treated nets needed to reach the revised Roll Back Malaria Partnership targets by 2010, tax and tariff reforms are urgently needed. Such reforms must be accompanied by country-specific systems to protect the poor (e.g., through voucher systems for vulnerable groups and other forms of targeted subsidies).

Problem Statement: In global companies with internationally mobile workforces and operations where people work and live together, infectious disease outbreaks can impact the health of workers and communities, disrupt operations and affect a company’s reputation. Emerging diseases such as coronaviruses and avian flu can be challenging in these settings. Adequate control of outbreaks in Company workplaces requires standardized measures that are globally communicated and applied consistently across worksites and countries. Objectives and Scope: Provide a standard and efficient approach to infectious disease outbreak prevention and control, including communication procedures and action plans with staged response for both known and emerging infectious diseases with outbreak potential. Method: Building on its global pandemic flu plans and site Infectious Disease Outbreak Management (IDOM) measures, the Company used a two-pronged communication approach to engage stakeholders and communicate with workers on latest emerging diseases: the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus and avian influenza H7N9. This approach was developed within Company systems and interfaces at affiliate and headquarters levels, as well as with external experts to generate action plans aligned with scientific evidence progressively made available. Significant New Information: This outbreak management model represents an effective global and scalable approach to mitigate the impact of various communicable diseases in workplaces. Standardized outbreak management and communication approaches are potential innovations for oil and gas companies that could better protect the health of their workers and business. Conclusions: Infectious disease outbreak risk should be consistently integrated into safety, security, environmental and health programs of oil and gas sector companies, regardless of the geographic locations of their operation sites. Methodical application of evidence based outbreak prevention, preparedness and response measures, built on existing company systems, enables effective awareness, engagement and preparedness in Company sites.

MALICK DIARA, MARTIN ALILO AND DAVID MC GUIRE ANALYZE THE AED/NETMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH EXXONMOBIL THAT WAS CREATED ON THE BASIS OF DEVELOPING A VIABLE MARKET FOR INSECTICIDE-TREATED MOSQUITO NETS (ITNS) IN AFRICA, WHILE IMPROVING ITN ACCESS TO PREGNANT WOMEN, THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF TARGETED SUBSIDIES. CSR AND PROGRAMMATIC RESULTS ARE ASSESSED USING A PROCESS-OUTCOME FRAMEWORK FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES:. Development (2004) 47, 69–77. doi:10.1057/palgrave.development.1100070

No abstract

This communication describes how the company established a corporate steering committee and programs built on operations systems to effectively protect its large globally mobile international workforces from vector borne diseases, outbreaks, and other communicable diseases. Application: Infectious diseases have potential for serious health consequences, operation disruption, loss of productivity, and impact on a company’s license to operate and reputation. Mitigation of such threats in the oil and gas sector requires corporate commitment, intricate partnership between Operations, Security, Safety, Health and Environmental (SSHE) organizations with consistent use of effective mitigation measures built on company processes. Observations: Global implementation of the Company malaria control program decreased reported cases from 230 in 2002 to less than 15 since 2005. Chemoprophylaxis compliance testing developed with corporate funds was instrumental in such success. Following the deployment of Infectious Disease Outbreak Management in 2010, average number of affected workers during outbreaks decreased from 23 in 2010 to 12, in 2012. The Steering Committee for Infectious Disease Control assembles Company executives, SSHE managers and Medical and Occupational Health (MOH) department representatives. The committee and attached unit periodically review program needs and performances while providing guidance and resources for program improvements. MOH and SSHE organizations work in partnership with Operations and providers for tool development and updates, program implementation, effectiveness reviews and reporting. The Company operations integrity management systems include also effectiveness reviews of infectious disease control program in operations sites. Significance: The visible engagement of Company Executives in workplace infectious disease control programs is critical. Embedding disease control program procedures in company mechanisms, and building internal partnerships between Operations, providers, MOH and SSHE organizations are essential for the effective protection of oil and gas workers exposed to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases around the globe. It also prevents spread of outbreaks from the operation sites to surrounding communities.

Objectives/Scope: –Illustrate tuberculosis risk identified in communities and ExxonMobil workplaces–Describe approach for program design and targeted global implementation rollout–Present accomplishments in preventing TB transmission in ExxonMobil workplaces Methods, Procedures, Process: Tuberculosis (TB) was evaluated in country populations using World Health Organization sources and in Exxon Mobil Corporation (ExxonMobil or Company) and its affiliates’ operation sites to target workplaces with the highest risk. In consultation with external experts, Company health and safety professionals and executives, the existing TB program became required for all offshore sites and camps in areas with ≥20 TB cases per 100,000. An implementation gap assessment and executive rollout communications were performed. For program sustainability, a contractor exhibit was established, and Company operations integrity management systems integrated TB aspects with site and headquarters reporting. Results, Observations, Conclusions: Tuberculosis is now a priority for infectious disease control in ExxonMobil workplaces. Executive Company committee periodically reviews program accomplishments with the intent to prevent workplace transmission, and minimize impact on workers’ health and productivity. TB Program elements include awareness, periodic screening with questionnaire and testing (blood or skin test or chest X-ray), and case management with active TB contact tracing. The gap assessment conducted in 2014 identified inconsistent implementation across eligible sites and among contractors and employees. Following management guidance roll out and support by health and safety teams, all eligible locations implemented the TB program by end 2016. TB exhibits are progressively being integrated in new global contract agreements. Between January and September 2017, 3886 TB screening tests were performed with 481 positive results. Latent TB prevails between 3 and 5% percent in the US and Europe, and about 30 percent in Africa and Papua New Guinea. Identification of latent TB is important for follow up and early detection of active stage and for baseline status of workers during contact tracing. Since 2010, 107 active TB cases have been identified with no workplace transmission, contributing to avert >1000 infections, considering that one case can infect 10 to 15 individuals. Novel/Additive Information: The oil and gas industry operates globally with international, mobile populations and congregate settings that increase TB transmission risk. Targeted TB programs for such sites and workers are pertinent to mitigate risk and consequences. Synergies between public and private institutions, including oil and gas companies, are critical for effective TB programs that can prevent workplace transmission, provide rapid diagnostic, treatment and care, protect Company business and contribute to end the global TB epidemic.

No abstract

Global mobile workers risk serious disease and death from malaria while it is a curable and preventable disease. Organizations sending workers and their families into malarious areas are challenged by implementing efficient and consistent malaria control programs in the face of conflicting opinions, recommendations and perceptions regarding the necessity of malaria controls, especially regarding the use of chemoprophylaxis medications. Many of the issues related to malaria chemoprophylaxis have not been and are not likely to be studied in well-designed, randomized, double blinded clinical trials. In addition, country regulations differ and conflicting advice is provided by different health workers. To standardize advice and recommendations on malaria chemoprophylaxis, a list of issues was developed from questions frequently asked by managers, employees and contractors. During a two-day workshop, a world-renowned expert panel with extensive professional experience in infectious diseases, travel medicine, occupational medicine and health education, discussed the issues while reviewing the relevant literature and sharing their practical experience, to provide sound technical guidance. This paper provides scientific evidence-based malaria prevention guidance, balancing the precision of malaria protection with practical recommendations for chemoprophylaxis use, based on immune status and destination factors. The panel endorsed continued long-term use of chemoprophylaxis by individuals categorized as non-immune, traveling in high risk plasmodium falciparum areas. Specific guidelines were recommended for travelers to Mexico, Papua New Guinea and India. Guidance for travelers switching back and forth between various medications was provided to help individuals maintain protection and reduce the risk of adverse health affects from multiple drugs. Recommendations for offering medication breaks for offshore workers were not strongly endorsed due to unpredicted travel through high risk onshore locations and the difficulties in being able to effectively communicate and apply these guidelines.