Ethiopia and its steps to mobilize resources to achieve 2020 elimination and control goals for neglected tropical diseases: Spider webs joined can tie a lion

Abstract

In June 2013, at the launch of its National Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Master Plan, the Ethiopian government pledged to achieve WHO NTD elimination and control targets by 2020. With an estimated 80 million people living in areas where one or more NTDs are endemic, this goal presented an enormous challenge for the Federal Ministry of Health. However, as of September 2015, the Federal Ministry of Health has managed to mobilize support to implement mass drug administration in 84% of the trachoma endemic districts and 100% of the endemic districts for onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthes and schistosomiasis. The national program still is facing large gaps in its podoconiosis and leishmaniasis programs, and it faces significant other challenges to stay on track for 2020 targets. However, this unprecedented scale-up in support was achieved through significant government investment in NTD interventions and creative coordination between donors and implementing partners, which may provide valuable lessons for other national NTD programs trying to achieve nationwide coverage.

Worldwide assessment of healthcare personnel dealing with lymphoedema

“…Nevertheless, healthcare workers were not specifically informed about lymphoedema and lacked the clinical expertise of tertiary level professionals to diagnose this condition as a possible corollary of filaria infection. This constituted a lost opportunity of broad geographic impact perpetuating inadequate management, poor treatment and failure to meet the specific needs of patients with lymphoedema after filarial infection [ 26 , 27 , 31 , 44 , 45 ]. But, even so, substantial health and economic benefits have risen from the program, especially in what concerns lymphoedema prevention by treating the causal worm [ 42 ].…”

Determinants of community-led ivermectin treatment adherence for onchocerciasis control in Western Ethiopia: a case-control study

“…The rate of infection in highly endemic areas rose to 80-100 % for the age of 20 years. Ethiopia is among the endemic countries suitable to harbor two species of black fly [11]. In the country, more than 16.3 million people are at risk of RB and 5 million people are affected by the disease [11,12].…”

Barriers to access to visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis and care among seasonal mobile workers in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A qualitative study

“…VL awareness, among certain populations and healthcare providers, is also limited [ 3 , 11 , 13 ]. To address these challenges, numerous partners, including WHO, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, support VL research and healthcare service delivery [ 14 ]. At present, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) offers comprehensive free care for VL patients at a hospital in Abdurafi [ 14 ].…”

“…To address these challenges, numerous partners, including WHO, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, support VL research and healthcare service delivery [ 14 ]. At present, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) offers comprehensive free care for VL patients at a hospital in Abdurafi [ 14 ]. In addition, KalaCORE, a consortium of partners including Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Mott MacDonald Ltd and MSF, is supporting the expansion of diagnostic and treatment services for VL through clinical mentoring, supply provision, and other interventions [ 14 ].…”

“…At present, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) offers comprehensive free care for VL patients at a hospital in Abdurafi [ 14 ]. In addition, KalaCORE, a consortium of partners including Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Mott MacDonald Ltd and MSF, is supporting the expansion of diagnostic and treatment services for VL through clinical mentoring, supply provision, and other interventions [ 14 ]. Currently in Ethiopia, diagnostic test kits and treatment for VL are primarily available at hospitals; very few health centres offer VL diagnostics and even fewer offer VL treatment.…”