Conclusions & Recommendations
22.3.3 - Compensating for delayed/skipped trachoma treatments (mitigation)
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The TEC would welcome requests for operational research on mitigating the effects of skipped treatments in hyper-endemic districts by conducting multiple rounds of MDA in a year with enhanced surveillance. Such proposals should fit the country context, receive country ethical and regulatory approval, and be consistent with MOH/partner resource availability (political will, financial and human resources, and community acceptance).
Action:
This recommendation was further considered during the TEC 23 meeting and at a meeting of TEC members and invited experts on May 11th, 2021.
TEC 22
2020
research, persistence, alternative treatment strategies
22.4.1 - Delaying impact surveys
Conclusion/Recommendation:
ITI supports country programs to make their own determination when they are ready to restart field activities (surveys and/or MDA) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. ITI stands ready to provide Zithromax® when MDA is restarted.
Action:
No action required
TEC 22
2020
COVID
22.4.2 - Delaying impact surveys
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The TEC reflected on their principle that the Zithromax® donation is based on demonstrated evidence of need. If it is safe to conduct field activities, scheduled impact surveys should be conducted prior to potential MDA so that the normal data-driven process is not interrupted.
Action:
No action required
TEC 22
2020
COVID, Zithromax® donation criteria
22.4.3 - Delaying impact surveys
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recognizes that coronavirus safety adaptations may be required to complete surveys. Such adaptations would ideally be agreed between partners and the Ministry of Health prior to implementation.
Action:
No action required
TEC 22
2020
COVID
22.4.4 - Delaying impact surveys
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recognizes that there may be a need for mitigation in hyper-endemic areas that warrant continued treatment. TEC would be prepared to review reasonable and evidence-based requests from national programs for additional Zithromax® that conform to local policy and regulatory standards.
Action:
This recommendation was further considered during the TEC 23 meeting and at a meeting of TEC members and invited experts on May 11th, 2021
TEC 22
2020
alternative treatment strategies, persistence, research, Zithromax® donation criteria
22.5.1 - DFID-ASCEND Lot 1
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC welcomed the participation of colleagues from DFID-ASCEND Lot 1 at TEC 22 and appreciated the information presented. TEC recommends that ITI continue to work with the DFID-ASCEND Lot 1 partnership and invite them to future TEC meetings.
Action:
An invitation was extended and accepted to the TEC 23 and TEC 24 meetings.
TEC 22
2020
funding, recommendations for ITI management
22.6.1 - Ensuring access to Zithromax® donation to all at-risk populations
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The TEC noted that there are still areas that are unmapped – due in part to insecurity, access issues, and lack of funding (e.g., DRC, South Sudan, Lake Chad Basin [Chad and Nigeria], Amazon Basin).
Action:
No action required
TEC 22
2020
South Sudan,Chad,Nigeria
surveys, special populations, suspected endemic, insecurity
22.6.2 - Ensuring access to Zithromax® donation to all at-risk populations
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC also raised concerns over “statistically invisible” populations (e.g., migratory populations, refugees, internally displaced persons) which are not adequately represented/sampled in current survey methodologies to ensure equitable access to the Zithromax® donation and surgical services.
Action:
No action required
TEC 22
2020
surveys, special populations, evaluation units
22.6.3 - Ensuring access to Zithromax® donation to all at-risk populations
Conclusion/Recommendation:
Lack of MDA partners and funding source in these areas is an added challenge.
Action:
No action required
TEC 22
2020
special populations, funding
22.6.4 - Ensuring access to Zithromax® donation to all at-risk populations
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The TEC raised concerns about how to encourage progress towards elimination in these areas, and how to ensure that ongoing transmission in these areas does not affect surrounding areas that are under treatment. The TEC recommended that ITI include details about suspected endemic areas in country documents and presentations at future TEC meetings; discuss with countries with unmapped areas to understand the support they need; discuss with ICTC how to mobilize funding and partners and develop an approach to get the mapping done
Action:
Work on this recommendation is ongoing. As noted above, districts identified by national programs as suspected endemic have been noted in the “Comments” column of the Zithromax®️ Application.
TEC 22
2020
special populations, suspected endemic, ICTC, funding, TEC meeting management, recommendations for ITI management