Congratulations to Yemen for Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis!
Click here to read the full joint MDP, MSD*, and GSK press release on Yemen’s victory.
The Mectizan Donation Program’s director, Dr. Yao Sodahlon, an expert in tropical diseases who worked closely over the years with the ministry of health and other partners to ensure Yemen’s success, stated, “I am thrilled that Yemen has eliminated lymphatic filariasis. Both the political situation and the geographical terrain are huge barriers to getting the medicines to everyone who needs them. Yemen’s commitment to achieve this milestone is evidence that, with political will and strong partnerships, elimination can be achieved. The ministry of health must be congratulated for their dedication to ensuring the medications were consistently delivered to the hundreds of thousands of people at risk of infection.”
Transmission of River Blindness Interrupted in 3 States in Nigeria
In a press release issued by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), it was recently announced that Kaduna is the third state in Nigeria after Plateau and Nasarawa to interrupt transmission of river blindness and stop treatment with Mectizan. This is a remarkable and encouraging achievement. We congratulate the FMOH for its commitment to river blindness elimination and to The Carter Center and Sightsavers for their partnership in these states. Nigeria has a high burden of disease for river blindness. Elimination in these three states is proof positive that elimination is achievable with effective Mectizan (ivermectin) treatment coverage and commitment. For the full press release click here.
Supporting LF Elimination in India
The Mectizan Donation Program recently approved 52 million treatments of Mectizan to accelerate lymphatic filariasis elimination in India as part of the strategy to co-administer ivermectin, DEC, and albendazole in certain districts. We congratulate India’s commitment to preventing future generations from this debilitating disease.
Uganda leads the way toward onchocerciasis elimination in Africa
Honorable Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng announced that onchocerciasis (commonly known as river blindness) is well on its way to elimination. Treatment with Mectizan is now only required in two of the seventeen remaining foci: one small foci on the western border and one large foci in the north that was recently reclassified as suspected to have eliminated transmission.
We applaud Uganda for the remarkable progress made and we are very grateful that the government is committed to Stamping Out Oncho! Please join us in congratulating Uganda for this tremendous achievement.
MDP Side Event at the WHO AFRO Program Managers for Preventive Chemotherapy and Case Management NTDs Meeting
The Mectizan Donation Program hosted a side event during the WHO AFRO Program Managers for Preventive Chemotherapy and Case Management NTDs meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 17 July 2019
Thank you to all who attended this side event where the concept of a new advocacy tool for country investment in onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis elimination was discussed. NTD program managers gave input into the development of the tool. NGO and advocacy partners also attended the event and provided input. The side event was an opportunity to share the new Stamp Out Oncho campaign, including the launch of www.stampoutoncho.org. Keep reading for more information on Stamp Out Oncho!
Stamp Out Oncho: A campaign to maintain momentum until elimination has been achieved.
Our fight to eliminate transmission of River Blindness is far from over. As with many other disease elimination efforts, the last mile is the longest.
Together we CAN Stamp Out Oncho! Please visit www.stampoutoncho.org for campaign materials including infographics, key messages, suggested social media, photos and information resources free to use to amplify the message.
(*Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey USA, is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada)