In May the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA66.12 (1) on 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Among other measures, the resolution urges Member States to: • ensure country ownership of prevention, control, elimination and eradication programmes; • expand and implemen ... t interventions and advocate for predictable, long-term international financing for activities related to control and capacity strengthening; • integrate control programmes into primary health-care services and existing programmes; • ensure optimal programme management and implementation; • achieve and maintain universal access to interventions and reach the targets of the roadmap. more

The Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) undertook regional and large scale frght against onchocerciasis in West Africa in 1974 using a vector control strategy. By 2002 OCP had succeeded in eliminating the disease as a public health, socio-economic and development problem in 10 out ... of I I countries. This campaign was highly technical and expensive. ln 1987, Merck & Co.,lnc. committed themselves to provide ivermectin free of charge for as long as needed to onchocerciasis endemic countries. This made it possible to envrsage the extension of onchocerciasis control activities to the remaining endemic countries in Africa. more

Onchocerciasis used to be an important public health problem in Africa, with over 37 million people infected and millions suffering from debilitating skin disease, terrible itching, impaired vision and blindness. But the epidemiological situation has improved dramatically over the last two decades. ... Community directed treatment with ivermectin has effectively brought the disease under control in most endemic areas where onchocerciasis is no longer a public health risk. more