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Conclusions & Recommendations

32.01.1 - Senegal congratulations

Conclusion/Recommendation:

TEC congratulates the national program of Senegal on reaching the important milestone of completing their dossier for the validation of the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. The strong political engagement displayed by the Senegal program in the fight against NTDs is well noted. TEC looks forward to hearing that the dossier has been submitted and validated by WHO.

Action:

TEC 32

2025

Africa - West

Senegal

32.02.1 - On delaying child MDAs for trachoma validation

Conclusion/Recommendation:

TEC reviewed the experience of national trachoma programs in areas that completed trachoma MDA and are awaiting impact or surveillance surveys, while also being targeted for MDA for child survival. Noting the validation requirement for a two-year antibiotic MDA free period before a TSS is in tension with the ethical mandate of MDA for child survival, TEC requested that WHO provide relevant guidance to affected countries.

Action:

TEC 32

2025

Africa - West

Niger, Nigeria

research

32.03.1 - Innovation around surveys in insecure areas

Conclusion/Recommendation:

TEC appreciated the progress in developing innovative ways to assess the need for intervention in areas of conflict, and encouraged ongoing development of methods to assess the need for, and deliver interventions in, areas of conflict. Options for this may include using local teams to conduct surveys, simultaneously collecting complementary indicators, and using paper-based surveys.

Action:

No action needed.

TEC 32

2025

insecurity, alternative indicators (Ct, serology)

32.04.1 - Delayed TIS, TF <5%

Conclusion/Recommendation:

The TEC reviewed data on trachoma impact surveys that have been delayed due to conflict and other factors. Such delays can postpone submission of the national dossier and thus the validation of the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. When the recommended number of MDA rounds has been completed and trachoma impact surveys are delayed by more than 2.5 years, national programs may wish to consult WHO on whether such an impact survey may serve the function of a trachoma surveillance survey if the TF prevalence is <5%.

Action:

TEC 32

2025

32.05.1 - Delayed TIS, TF≥5%

Conclusion/Recommendation:

In areas where trachoma impact surveys have been delayed for more than 2.5 years since MDA and the new TIS results indicate TF above threshold, TEC would consider a request from national programs for a drug donation for a modified MDA strategy (even if the district did not previously qualify as 'persistent' or 'recrudescent').

Action:

This information has been added into the 2025 MDA as a new category for areas that qualify for modified MDA.

TEC 32

2025

alternative treatment strategies

32.06.1 - Integrating trachoma and child survival MDA

Conclusion/Recommendation:

The TEC congratulates the REACH Network on their impressive progress in supporting national programs using azithromycin MDA to reduce child mortality. TEC is committed to support the emerging partnership between the child survival and trachoma communities. TEC reviewed preliminary information on geographic overlap of areas requiring MDA for trachoma elimination and child survival. The TEC encourages national health ministries to explore opportunities for integrating child survival and trachoma MDAs where possible.

Action:

TEC 32

2025

Niger, Nigeria

32.06.2 - Integrating trachoma and child survival MDA

Conclusion/Recommendation:

Recognizing both the potential advantages and challenges in ‘integrated’ MDA for both trachoma and child survival, as well as the need for more information, TEC recommends that ITI commission a white paper that analyzes the programmatic impact, cost, safety, supply chain, and operational implications of different options for integrated trachoma/child survival MDA. TEC looks forward to engaging in future conversations about how best to achieve integration.

Action:

TEC 32

2025

32.07.1 - "Stale" data considerations

Conclusion/Recommendation:

TEC and ITI have typically considered survey data more than 10 years old to be ‘stale’ and likely no longer representative of current conditions. In response to a question raised during the meeting as to whether a shorter timeframe would be more appropriate, TEC deliberated on the tradeoffs and situational contexts in which this occurs. TEC determined that, as a working internal principle, even in areas where insecurity or high population movement has occurred, data could still be considered valid for up to 10 years and used in support of requests for azithromycin.

Action:

No action needed.

TEC 32

2025

32.08.1 - Use of photography in trachoma elimination

Conclusion/Recommendation:

TEC appreciates the tremendous progress in the use of photography to document TF and TT and to facilitate trachoma elimination. TEC encourages the continued use of the Gondar Grading Center and Tropical Data’s Photo Library.

Action:

No action needed.

TEC 32

2025

32.09.1 - Shortage resolution

Conclusion/Recommendation:

TEC acknowledges with gratitude Pfizer’s generous commitment and extraordinary efforts to increase their manufacturing capacity for the trachoma program. In light of the restored supply capacity, TEC recommends that the historical approach to allocation (95% of Approved, 100% of Surgery, and 100% of Research) be restored for all 2025 shipments. TEC further recommends that ITI send letters to all partners and countries to notify them of this change.

Action:

Letters have been sent out to all partners and countries announcing this change.

TEC 32

2025

supply chain

International Trachoma Initiative

330 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, GA 30030 

Phone:

+1 800 765 7173
+1 404 371 0466
Fax:

+1 404 371 1087

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