2009-04-21-世界卫生组织-Second_report_of_the_Strategic_and_Technical_Advisory_Group_for_Neglected_Tropical_Diseases_STAG-NTDs_10页_84kb

WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD) Report Summary

Core Content

The WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD) held a meeting in Geneva on 16-17 April 2009, focusing on the strategic and technical aspects of NTD control. The meeting aimed to review progress, identify challenges, and make recommendations for future initiatives.

Main Views and Key Information

1. Agenda Adoption and Conflict of Interest Declarations

• The meeting agenda was adopted.
• Members were reminded to submit conflict of interest declarations to the WHO Secretariat.

2. NTD Control Achievements and Challenges

• The Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases reviewed its achievements in treatment, advocacy, social mobilization, drug procurement, and partnership strengthening.
• The STAG commended the leadership of the Director and staff in improving health systems for poor populations.
• Challenges included the lack of integration of NTD planning in some African countries, which may dilute disease-specific expertise.
• Leprosy elimination is considered attainable, while visceral leishmaniasis is growing in certain regions.
• Cross-border collaboration is essential for combating NTDs.

3. Thematic Group Meetings and Working Groups

• Thematic group meetings held in Geneva (23-27 March 2009) led to the establishment of two working groups:
  • Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Group to develop guidance and processes for M&E.
  • NTD Medicines Working Group to coordinate drug quality, procurement, and supply.
• The STAG agreed to establish a third Working Group on Drug Efficacy and Resistance to address both PCT and IDM.
• These groups require adequate financial support and appropriate expertise to be effective.

4. Technical and Operational Issues

• WHO/NTD Database:
  • A critical tool for NTD prevention and control.
  • Needs to be expanded to cover all NTDs in endemic countries.
  • Should include examples of best practices, country files, and relevant literature.
  • Partners should be encouraged to use and contribute to the database.
  • The STAG urged all partners to adopt it as a universal source of information.
• Drug Efficacy:
  • Research groups were formed to investigate the use of benzimidazoles, ivermectin, praziquantel, and anthelmintic drugs.
  • Patients with HAT are experiencing relapses, indicating a need for more effective drugs.
• Integrated Control of Neglected Zoonotic Diseases (NZDs):
  • NZDs are significant for human health and require strategies for control.
  • Collaboration between WHO/NTD and organizations like FAO is encouraged.

5. Format for Future STAG Meetings

• Future meetings will follow a standardized format:
  • Presentations limited to 15 slides.
  • Final slide should include questions to stimulate discussion.
  • Generic topics should be addressed rather than specific ones.

6. Recommendations to WHO

• Establish two working groups (M&E and NTD Medicines) with appropriate expertise and financial support.
• Create a third working group on Drug Efficacy and Resistance.
• Expand and support the WHO/NTD database.
• Recognize NZDs as a major component of human health.
• Retain disease-specific expertise through training in Europe, the US, and other regions.
• Develop economic analyses of NTD control.
• Ensure NTD expertise is available in each WHO Regional Office.
• Leverage the diversity of infectious agents among NTDs and NZDs to foster cross-fertilization of ideas and improve healthcare systems.

Key Participants

Members

• Prof. Adenike Olatoke (AFRO)
• Prof. Pierre Ambroise-Thomas (EURO)
• Prof. Sir Roy Malcolm Anderson (EURO)
• Dr Assia Brandrup-Lukanow (EURO)
• Prof. Rodrigo Correa de Oliveira (AMRO)
• Prof. Alan Fenwick (EURO)
• Prof. Deepika Fernando (SEARO)
• Prof. Nirmal Kumar Ganguly (SEARO)
• Prof. Duane J. Gubler (WPRO)
• Prof. John Gyapong (AFRO)
• Prof. Mamoun Mohd Ali Homeida (EMRO)
• Dr Donald R. Hopkins (AMRO)
• Prof. Peter Hotez (AMRO)
• Prof. Gustavo Kourí (AMRO)
• Dr Giancarlo Majori (EURO)
• Dr Mwelecele Ntuli Maleceila (AFRO)
• Prof. Santiago Honoris Causa Mas Coma (EURO)
• Dr Mary Elizabeth Miranda (WPRO)
• Prof. David Molyneux (EURO)
• Dr João Carlos Pinto Dias (AMRO)
• Prof. Han-Jong Rim (WPRO)
• Dr Bijan Sadrizadeh (EMRO)
• Dr Donald Sloane Shepard (AMRO)
• Prof. Tsutomu Takeuchi (WPRO)
• Prof. Lin-Hua Tang (WPRO)
• Dr Zeinab Yousef (EMRO)
• Dr Samuel Musa Zaramba (AFRO)

Observers

• Dr Christy Hanson (USAID)
• Dr Michael Hauser (Schistosomiasis Control Initiative)
• Dr Julie Jacobson (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
• Dr Thomas Kanyok (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
• Dr Mary Linehan (RTI International)
• Dr Beth Scott (UK Department for International Development)

WHO Regions and Secretariat

• AFRO (Africa): Dr Samuel Musa Zaramba (Uganda) and Dr Thomas Kanyok (Gates Foundation) represented the region.
• AMRO (Americas): Dr Steve Ault (Brazil) and Dr Peter Hotez (USA) represented the region.
• EMRO (East Mediterranean): Dr Bijan Sadrizadeh (Iran) and Dr Mamoun Mohd Ali Homeida (Sudan) represented the region.
• EURO (Europe): Dr Pierre Ambroise-Thomas (France), Dr Giancarlo Majori (Italy), Prof. Sir Roy Malcolm Anderson (UK), Prof. Alan Fenwick (UK), Prof. David Molyneux (UK), Prof. David Crompton (UK).
• SEARO (South East Asia): Prof. Deepika Fernando (Sri Lanka) and Prof. Nirmal Kumar Ganguly (India).
• WPRO (Western Pacific): Dr John Ehrenberg (Australia), Dr Duane J. Gubler (Singapore), Prof. Lin-Hua Tang (China), Prof. Han-Jong Rim (Korea).

Secretariat Members

• Dr Lorenzo Savioli (Director, NTD/HTM)
• Dr Denis Daumerie (Programme Manager, NTD/HTM)
• Dr Dirk Engels (Coordinator, Preventive Chemotherapy and Transmission Control, NTD/HTM)
• Dr François Meslin (Neglected Zoonotic Diseases, NTD/HTM)
• Dr Jean Jannin (Innovative and Intensified Disease Management, NTD/HTM)
• Dr Valerio Reggi (Medicines Regulatory Support, NTD/HTM)
• Dr Morteza Zaim (Vector Ecology and Management, NTD/HTM)
• Ms Linda Aime-McDonald (Assistant, NTD/HTM)
• Ms Corinne Suchet (Programme Assistant, NTD/HTM)
• Dr Fiona Adshead (Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, NMH)
• Dr Christopher Dye (Office of ADG/HTM)
• Dr Piero Olliaro (Chemotherapy for Helminthes and other NTDs, TDR)
• Dr Sergio Spinaci (Global Malaria Programme, HTM)
• Dr Fabio Zicker (Policy and Development, TDR)

Rapporteur

• Prof. David Crompton (UK) was the rapporteur for the meeting.

Conclusion

The meeting highlighted the importance of integrated approaches, cross-border collaboration, and the need for enhanced data systems and drug efficacy research. It also emphasized the role of partnerships and the necessity for WHO to support the development and implementation of effective strategies for NTD control.