Pioneering Post-Validation Surveillance for NTDs: Insights from Kikundi's Latest Report

Brazzaville, Republic of Congo - The recent report released by the Kikundi Community of Practice, titled "Voices Post Validation Surveillance," provides invaluable insights into the strategies and challenges faced by countries in their post-Mass Drug Administration (MDA) surveillance efforts for Preventive Chemotherapy Neglected Tropical Diseases (PC-NTDs). This document underscores the critical need for robust surveillance systems to prevent the resurgence of NTDs and maintain disease-free status in regions that have achieved elimination thresholds.

One of the key takeaways from the report is the necessity of integrating NTDs into routine and event-based surveillance systems. This integration is vital to maintaining the elimination status of these diseases. The report highlights the saying, "Vectors do not respect borders," emphasizing the importance of surveillance in border areas and the need for collaboration between neighbouring countries' NTD programs.

Another significant point is the absence of an official post-validation surveillance (PVS) framework for some diseases. This gap has led programs to create their own processes to protect against resurgence. The Kikundi platform is suggested as a potential advocate for documenting these PVS efforts and recommending standardized best practices based on country-specific experiences.

The political will of program leaders is seen as crucial for the success of these integrations. However, sustainable resources, such as funding, remain a challenge once diseases have been eliminated.

The document encapsulates experiences from various countries, offering a comprehensive view of the challenges and successes in post-elimination monitoring and surveillance. It's a testament to the ongoing efforts in the battle against NTDs and serves as a guide for future strategies in sustaining the gains made in NTD elimination.

For more detailed insights and country-specific experiences, readers are encouraged to access the full report attached below. For further updates on activities conducted by the Kikundi Community of Practice, please visit its official website.