Malawi’s Journey Toward the Elimination of Onchocerciasis Highlighted in Upcoming Webinar

The GONE webinar on Malawi will present the nation’s progress towards eliminating onchocerciasis and feature discussions on recent expert committee outcomes, ongoing initiatives, and strategies for addressing NTDs. Key speakers include representatives from Malawi’s Ministry of Health and neighboring countries, emphasizing cross-border collaboration. The webinar aims to share lessons learned from Malawi’s achievements in public health and NTD elimination.

The upcoming webinar titled “Malawi – Close to the Finish Line of Eliminating Onchocerciasis” will showcase Malawi’s significant advancements in addressing this public health challenge. Participants will learn about recent outcomes from the national onchocerciasis expert committee, which is crucial for the country’s efforts to stop mass drug administration (MDA). Thanks to consistent initiatives from the Ministry of Health and community engagement, Malawi is poised to evaluate disease interruption in endemic regions. The goal is to eliminate onchocerciasis and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by the year 2030.

The webinar will also present Malawi’s comprehensive approach to combating NTDs. This strategy has proven effective, culminating in the successful elimination of trachoma in 2022, along with leprosy and lymphatic filariasis in prior years. The session will include a variety of speakers who will discuss and share their expertise, ensuring a collaborative learning experience.

The agenda will include introductions and welcome remarks by Dr. Didier Bakajika from WHO/AFRO/ESPEN. Following this, Mr. Laston Sitima, Principal Disease Control Officer from the Ministry of Health, will discuss the tremendous progress Malawi is making towards this public health milestone. The event will include roundtable discussions with partners and neighboring countries Mozambique and Tanzania, addressing shared challenges and opportunities for improved cross-border collaboration. The session aims to inspire other endemic countries with lessons learned from Malawi’s experience.

In conclusion, the webinar on Malawi’s efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis marks a significant step towards addressing public health challenges in the region. Through dedicated collaboration and innovative strategies, Malawi demonstrates how focused initiatives can lead to substantial progress in the fight against NTDs. With a commitment to eliminate onchocerciasis by 2030, Malawi sets an exemplary path for other countries facing similar challenges.

Original Source: www.who.int