Conclusions & Recommendations
11.9.1 - TEC Recommendation Regarding Eastern Mediterranean Region
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The TEC recognizes the importance of the trachoma EMR alliance in achieving the GET 2020 goals. The TEC recommended that ITI work closely with the countries of the EMR Alliance, facilitate the application process, and address concerns for security and rapidity of scale up for the EMR countries, encouraging an application for treatment in at least one district in Egypt and Pakistan in 2016.
Action:
ITI’s Director and Deputy Director attended the EMRO meeting in Bahrain in December 2014. SPAs have been allocated to support Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, and Pakistan. An application is expected from Pakistan and Egypt at the June TEC. Security in Yemen has precluded the first shipment for that country
TEC 11
2014
Eastern Mediterranean
recommendations for ITI management
10.1.1 - General Recommendation
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The TEC requests WHO/NTD to commission preparation of maps showing, by WHO Region, areas where trachoma requires intervention, but where there is currently inadequate partner support. The maps should show when interventions need to commence in order to enable at least one, three, or five-year cycle of interventions to be completed prior to 2020.
Action:
- WHO requested funding from ICTC to produce these maps. ITI has agreed to fund the project and WHO has contracted Rebecca Flueckiger for the project. The expected completion date for this project is still to be determined.
- Together with the ICTC SAFE implementation costing tool (scheduled for completion in December 2014 and validation in January 2015) and the planned modeling of treatment strategies to be conducted by UCSF, this project will provide valuable data to assist in determining funding for gaps in intervention.
TEC 10
2014
ICTC, funding, end game
10.10.1 - Surveillance Working Group
Conclusion/Recommendation:
ITI to pilot the risk categorization of districts as specified in the working paper for the next two years, adding endemic areas in neighboring countries as an additional factor. Surveillance applications should continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Action:
- The WHO STAG-NTD Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group convened a Technical Consultation on Trachoma Surveillance in September 2014, which led to the development of new interim standard operating procedures for surveillance (see Surveillance Report tab).
- ITI will encourage national programs which are ready to start planning surveillance to adopt the provisional standard operating procedures.
TEC 10
2014
evaluation units
10.11.1 - Vicryl Sutures
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC accepted the concept paper on a Vicryl suture donation from Johnson & Johnson and requests further information as it develops. The TEC agrees that if a donation program for Vicryl sutures is established, and if ICTC seeks a grant manager to manage the donation, ITI can apply.
Action:
- The ICTC Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) Working Group reported in September that Johnson & Johnson will make a donation of Vicryl sutures for TT surgeries.
- Details regarding the scale, duration, participating countries, or grant manager are yet to be confirmed. An update will be forthcoming from the ICTC Executive Group at the TEC 11 meeting.
TEC 10
2014
recommendations for ITI management, trichiasis, ICTC
10.12.1 - F&E
Conclusion/Recommendation:
ITI-HQ to contact the NNN WASH round table participants, STAG, WHO WASH, and ICTC F&E Working Group to consider what F&E guidelines could be used when delivering Zithromax® applications.
Action:
During the ICTC meeting in Paris in September 2014, the ICTC F&E Working Group reported that significant progress has been made in establishing F&E indicators. Additional information will be shared during the TEC 11 meeting.
TEC 10
2014
F&E/WASH
10.13.1 - TEC Book Structure
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC provided the following feedback on the TEC book:
a. TEC 10 book was a major step forward.
b. Maps should be updated, indicate when data is lacking, and show implementation gaps.
c. Maps should display district names or row numbers from application, if possible.
d. Discussion points section was useful and should be repeated.
e. TEC book should be organized by WHO region.
f. TEC offered to review drafts of dashboard section of country summary pages.
g. Country narratives should be added to each country section to include information on available funding, implementation partners, and highlight areas for priority action.
h. TT indicator should use the symbol ≥ rather than >.
i. Impact assessment (IA) year should be represented as a/b, where a = the final year of MDA preceding the IA, and b = the year of MDA following the IA.
j. TEC members found it helpful to review applications in depth before the TEC meeting.
Action:
The TEC 11 book includes the following responses to these recommendations:
- Maps reflect updated program data, as well as the following modifications to display data:
> Prevalence maps are larger and include application row numbers for districts and have an updated color scheme.
> Previous year coverage maps now distinguish between districts not targeted for MDA and those targeted, but with no coverage (previously both were the same color).
> Distribution timeline maps now include the approved and reserve data for the current year, as well as the antibiotic request for the upcoming year.
- Discussion points are included as a separate section for discussion.
- Notation of TT indicator and impact assessment year have been updated as recommended.
- Remaining recommendations will be implemented for the TEC 12 (June 2015) meeting.
TEC 10
2014
TEC meeting management
10.14.1 - Burkina Faso
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommended that for the two districts pending baseline survey data, the National Program should submit a mid-year request if the criteria for the Zithromax® donation are satisfied.
Action:
According to HKI, the districts of Kaya and Barsalogo are planned for surveys in FY2015 (between December and February). However, HKI does not have approval to support Burkina Faso (in this fiscal year) to conduct MDA in those districts.
Other program updates:
- Surveillance is included in the MOH action plan for 2016
- Plans and funding for 2015 have not been interrupted by instability to date
TEC 10
2014
Africa - West
Burkina Faso
suspected endemic
10.15.1 - Cameroon
Conclusion/Recommendation:
SPA to follow up with the national program for information regarding refugees from Borno, Nigeria.
Action:
Professor Bella reported that around thirty partially-sighted individuals were identified in a camp in Minawaou, who were referred for care, but MOH is not aware of any cases of trachoma. UNHCR is supporting the refugee camp and MOH is not involved.
TEC 10
2014
Africa - West
Cameroon
special populations
10.16.1 - Central African Republic
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommended approval of four districts with distribution to take place in any two of these; distribution is subject to improvement in security, to be determined by the National Program Coordinator. Further shipments will be considered, pending distribution of current inventory and improvement in security.
Action:
In spite of the safety situation in CAR, the National Program Coordinator is searching for ways to conduct the first MDA in Lobaye and Sangha Mbaéré districts instead of Basse-kotto et le Mbomou. One village (Boda) remains a security concern; reaching or passing this village is challenging and the National Program Coordinator says they will take precautions. The option for an armed escort to Boda by international forces is available, but the concern is that a presence of armed forces is not appropriate. The population is new to MDA and an armed escort may create a negative impression. OPC and CAR MOH are in touch with FAIR MED for a possible partnership in supporting CAR.
TEC 10
2014
Africa - West
CAR
insecurity
10.17.1 - Chad
Conclusion/Recommendation:
TEC recommended SPA to follow up with GTMP to recommend inclusion of Moyen Chari in GTMP efforts.
Action:
GTMP and Sightsavers (SSI) confirmed that all three departments of Moyen Chari (Barh Koh, Grande Sido, Lac Iro) are scheduled as individual evaluation units in the second phase of GTMP mapping in Chad.
TEC 10
2014
Africa - West
Chad
evaluation units