Conclusions & Recommendations
20.7.1 - Kenya
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC congratulates the Kenya MOH for their new NTD strategy and strong political engagement in the fight against NTDs. The trachoma elimination program is encouraged to ensure excellent implementation of the SAFE strategy, including high coverage, and on-time MDAs. TEC notes that reaching the TF threshold by 2022 is expected based on effective implementation and may not require anything that differs from current strategy.
Action:
This message was conveyed to the Kenya National Trachoma Program. The ITI Director and Regional Director for Africa are included on the Advisory Body for Kenya’s new NTD strategy.
The Kenya trachoma program moved from the Prevention of Blindness in the Non-Communicable Disease department to the NTD program in the Infectious Disease department.
TEC 20
2019
Africa - East
Kenya
20.7.2 - Kenya
Conclusion/Recommendation:
If the Kenyan program would like to propose an evidence-based strategy to accelerate and sustain elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, particularly in areas or populations of concern (e.g., due to migration), TEC would consider such a proposal at the next meeting in November 2019.
Action:
This message was conveyed to the Kenya National Trachoma Program; no proposals were received for TEC 21.
As of TEC 22, there was no new update from Kenya. ITI management reconsidered allocation of resources to operational research and did not actively pursue this.
TEC 20
2019
Africa - East
Kenya
alternative treatment strategies, special populations, TEC meeting management
20.8.1 - South Sudan: Juba ‘Protection of Civilians’ Camp
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC approves the request for a second round of MDA in the Juba POC camp, although TF1-9 prevalence for the camp has not been measured. A population-based prevalence survey will be needed after three rounds (or sooner, if feasible) to establish future eligibility for MDA.
Action:
This message was conveyed to the South Sudan National Trachoma Program.
As of TEC 22, the second round of MDA was planned.
TEC 20
2019
Africa - East
South Sudan
Zithromax® donation criteria, special populations
20.9.1 - Zithromax® for Refugees: Decision Making Algorithm
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommends that ITI update the refugee algorithm’s level 3 to say “Does host district have TF1-9 ≥5%?”
Action:
The refugee algorithm has been updated and the new version is included in the TEC 21 documents.
TEC 20
2019
special populations, Zithromax® donation criteria
20.9.2 - Zithromax® for Refugees: Decision Making Algorithm
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommends that any requests for refugee camps include a profile with information on origin of camp population, closed versus open camp, steady versus high population movement.
Action:
Future Zithromax® requests for refugee camps will include the recommended profile.
TEC 20
2019
special populations, Zithromax® donation criteria
19.1.1 - General Recommendations to ITI
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC congratulates the countries in the EMR Alliance that have achieved the trachoma elimination targets, notes significant progress towards trachoma program implementation, and notes the need for the urgent action in Egypt, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
Action:
This was shared with the Chair of the EMR Alliance.
TEC 19
2018
Eastern Mediterranean
19.1.2 - General Recommendations to ITI
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC notes the request from the EMR Alliance for support to trachoma programs in the region and recommends that ITI:
-Support countries with drug clearance through in-country advocacy
-Advocate (internally and externally) to mobilize funds
-Support operational research to answer questions relevant to the region
Action:
ITI has been responding proactively to needs reported from Egypt, Pakistan, Sudan, and Yemen; updates will be provided during the meeting.
TEC 19
2018
Eastern Mediterranean
recommendations for ITI management
19.2.1 - Afghanistan
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC and ITI stand ready to support the MOH of Afghanistan through technical assistance as needed and, once baseline prevalence survey data are available, would welcome an application for Zithromax® where treatments are warranted.
Action:
Results from the first 25 districts are now in, and one evaluation unit comprising three districts has a TF1-9 prevalence between 5-9%. ITI management will discuss in-person with the program coordinator at the upcoming GET2020 Alliance meeting and/or at the EMR Alliance meeting this September to determine whether they intend to apply for donated Zithromax®.
TEC 19
2018
Eastern Mediterranean
Afghanistan
suspected endemic
19.3.1 - Egypt
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommends that ITI Management should support EMR Alliance leadership to facilitate the release of the Zithromax® and other NTD drugs from the Central Medical Store.
Action:
After extensive discussion and follow up, Zithromax® has been released from the Central Medical Store. It is unclear what role ITI ultimately played in that situation; we will discuss during the meeting additional ways that we can support the Egypt program.
TEC 19
2018
Eastern Mediterranean
Egypt
supply chain, recommendations for ITI management
19.3.2 - Egypt
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommends that ITI support efforts by the EMF Alliance and ICTC to advocate for and identify funds to support Egypt’s national trachoma program.
Action:
In process
TEC 19
2018
Eastern Mediterranean
Egypt
funding, ICTC, recommendations for ITI management