GONE Webinar: Malawi’s Progress Towards Eliminating Onchocerciasis

The webinar will highlight Malawi’s achievements in eliminating onchocerciasis, showcasing its strategies and outcomes from disease control efforts. It will feature discussions with health officials and partners and address collaborative initiatives with neighboring countries. Participants can engage in a Q&A session and access the event in multiple languages.

The upcoming webinar will focus on Malawi’s significant progress towards eliminating onchocerciasis, a major public health issue. Participants will learn about recent achievements reported by the national onchocerciasis expert committee and the preparations for ceasing mass drug administration (MDA). Malawi’s Ministry of Health has led community-driven efforts to distribute treatments, aiming to evaluate disease interruption in endemic areas, with goals set for elimination by 2030.
Malawi will also discuss its integrated approach to combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which successfully eradicated trachoma in 2022 and previously eliminated leprosy and lymphatic filariasis. This event encourages participation and promises valuable insights for the international health community.
The agenda includes welcoming remarks from Dr. Didier Bakajika of WHO/AFRO/ESPEN, followed by a discussion led by Mr. Laston Sitima regarding Malawi’s public health milestones against onchocerciasis. Additionally, a roundtable will be convened with partners to share lessons learned applicable to other endemic nations.
Furthermore, representatives from Mozambique and Tanzania will share priority activities aimed at enhancing cross-border collaboration in tackling NTDs. A Q&A session will conclude the event, with translation available in English, French, and Portuguese.
Register for the webinar to receive confirmation details and access further information on participating.

This webinar presents an opportunity to gain insights into Malawi’s commendable strides in eliminating onchocerciasis and other NTDs. The collaborative approach with neighboring nations is crucial for setting regional priorities and fostering effective disease control strategies. Engaging with Malawi’s progress stories may provide valuable lessons for similar endemic regions worldwide, advocating for a unified effort towards public health advancements by 2030.

Original Source: www.who.int