8th PC-NTD RPRG Meeting Emphasizes Urgency and Strategic Focus for NTD Elimination

Brazzaville, Republic of Congo - The 8th PC-NTD Regional Programme Review Group (PC-NTD RPRG) Meeting held on November 13-14, 2023, marked a crucial milestone in the fight against Preventive Chemotherapy Neglected Tropical Diseases (PC-NTDs) in the African region. Against the backdrop of a dynamic landscape shaped by a new NTD Roadmap 2021-2030 and ongoing post-pandemic recovery efforts, the meeting held immense significance for the ESPEN PC-NTD RPRG.

The ESPEN PC-NTD RPRG, a pivotal statutory body, plays a key role in reviewing and advising WHO/AFRO and Member States on strategies and progress toward controlling and eliminating PC-NTDs. Its strategic and technical counsel supports national NTD programs, aligning efforts with the ambitious NTD targets and goals for 2030.

The meeting underscored the urgency of ESPEN's transition to a new phase, aligning with the WHO NTD Road Map 2030 and the 13th WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW13). The reconstitution of the PC-NTD RPRG within this critical decade of NTD elimination reflects the heightened expectations and urgency in the fight against these diseases in the African region.

Leading technical officers delivered insightful presentations on Trachoma, Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), Schistosomiasis, and Onchocerciasis and lymphatic Filariasis (LF), offering valuable perspectives on the prevailing challenges and funding gaps. The discussions underscored the imperative for accelerated progress to align with the ambitious NTD elimination targets. Recognizing that data is paramount for informed decision-making based on evidence, these presentations served as a crucial foundation for shaping strategic approaches to address the unique challenges posed by each disease and drive the agenda toward successful NTD elimination.

Discussions highlighted the need for focused action in priority areas, such as expanding coverage for treatments and surgeries in Trachoma, scaling up impact assessment surveys for Schistosomiasis, enhancing surveillance systems for soil-transmitted helminthiases, and ensuring comprehensive health services for Lymphatic Filariasis. Equally emphasized was the importance of addressing challenges like cross-border collaborations, managing persistent disease districts, and integrating preventive measures like WASH, snail control, and environmental management.

As the 8th PC-NTD RPRG meeting concluded, the outcomes are expected to guide future endeavors, ensuring ESPEN's effective contribution to the global effort to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030.

Key Considerations

The ESPEN PC-NTD RPRG plays a critical role in assessing country and regional strategies for PC-NTD control and elimination. This meeting, a response to the pressing need for the group's reconstitution and an unforeseen delay due to the pandemic, delved into updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and modus operandi for the reconstituted group. The urgency of the gathering was underscored by the crucial gap caused by deferred meetings and the critical role the RPRG plays in steering ESPEN into its new phase amidst high expectations for the elimination of NTDs in the current decade.