GH23-001 - Strategic Operational Research to Accelerate Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa - RACE

African Field Epidemiology Network, Ltd, Kampala

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY The proposed project will be implemented in priority sub - African countries. Prioritization of implementation sites is based on the CDC’s list of target countries. The project seeks to carry out strategic operation research that will provide evidence for NTD national control programs to fast track their progress towards controlling and eliminating of NTDs within their borders, by evaluating diagnostic tests for NTDs, testing approaches that may potentially supplement mass drug administration (MDA) as a strategy for control of vectors that cause NTDs and providing evidence for lower thresholds for stopping mass strategies such as MDAs. If lower thresholds are confirmed, savings would be made, and such resources could be diverted to other public health programs. This is especially important in Africa where resources can barely meet the demands on already constrained health systems. Proposed activities will be implemented in close liaison with national NTD program staff, as a means of building their capacity, to ensure knowledge and skill transfer, and sustenance of initiatives. The anticipated overall outcome of this project is reduced morbidity and mortality from NTDs, primarily in Africa, but in the world at large.