Twenty-first meeting of NGDO coordination group for onchocerciasis control, Ouagadougou, 14 - 15 march 2003 : conclusions & recommendations

rr.t l' WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE TWENTY-FIRST MEETING OF NGDO COORDINATION GROUP FOR ONCHOCERCIASIS CONTROL Ouagadougou, 14 - l5 March 2003 28.03.03 /. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMETIDATIONS The Group reviewed and approved the report of the 20th meeting held in Dar es Salaam in September 2002. Treatment data received from projects indicated poor data management (quality, collection, interpretation, timeliness, etc), inadequate understanding of indicators and data collection being perceived purely for reporting back to NGDOs and APOC Management. The Group recommended that the definitions adopted by TCCl4 be included in any request made for reports to projects. The Group further recommended that a taskforce comprised of MDP, APOC Management and the NGDO Group look at ways in which assistance could be provided to projects to improve data management, ensure backup ofdata and feedback to all levels. The Group encouraged projects to use the revised APOC tools for participatory monitoring, as well as the sustainability evaluation tools, as these incorporate sustainability issues and provide guidance on addressing operational problems. Projects should also emphasise sustainability issues in training and IEC materials. 4. The Group recognized the role of the Multi-Disease Surveillance Centre to facilitate mechanisms for collaboration of members of the Group with governments and was honoured to have the presence of Dr Sam Bugri, Chief MDSC, who provided a briehng on the activities of the Centre. The Group recommended NGDOs share information with the Chief of the Centre on their activities (in particular surveillance) in ex-OCP countries and that the Chief of the Centre, or his representative, be invited to future NGDO Group meetings. The Group recognized the importance of Special lntervention Zones in order to maintain the gains made in OCP countries. Some members of the Group expressed willingness to help with these zones and anticipate further details from APOC to determine future collaboration. The Group noted the rapid expansion planned for APOC projects during Phase II, necessary to accomplish its mandate by 2010. The Group welcomed the commitment made by CBM, IEF, Carter Center and OPC to support new projects in DRC, Burundi, Cameroon and Ethiopia. The meeting requested that World Vision lnternational's interest ih oncho control activities be clarified and encouraged at the country and regional level and in particular their involvement in Angola. However, there are many projects which do not yet have NGDO partners and this is now a matter of extreme urgency for the APOC Partnership. There is a particular problem for existing and potential new projects in the Southern Sudan. 3 5 6 1 .*lI a The Group discussed at length the concerns related to determining an "end point" of interventions in Onchocerciasis and longer term sustainability of projects. The Group recognized the urgency to define an end point of interventions if the various members are to have the capacity to support new programmes. In reality, due to phased geographical coverage in many projects, some communities would only have benefited from one or two years of treatment. These communities will need continuing support for additional years to ensure full CDTI implementation. The Group recognized that NGDOs will need to discuss their continuing support post-APOC with individual countries. The Group thanked those involved with the preparation of the proposal to the Gates Foundation. The Group agreed to continue its discussion with the Gates Foundation and have a face to face discussion with the Foundation to present its case. In the meantime, it was decided to set up a working group with the task of building a prospective list of potential donors and defining their interests and requirements. The Group thanked the Director of APOC for his counsel regarding strengthening the current proposal developed by the Group and possible funding options that might be pursued. The Group further requested APOC Management to give its written support to any application that would be made. In view of the extreme urgency to resolve the current financial crisis facing the NGDO Group members, which could jeopardize the achievement of APOC Phase II goals and the continuing nature of the APOC partnership, it was agreed that this situation be included as an important agenda item on the upcoming CSA meeting. The Group thanked the Chair of the Group, Mr Paul Derstine, for his presentation of the activities of IMA. The Group was encouraged that its approach to IMA to become involved in Mectizan@ distribution was one of the contributing factors to the recent development of IMA. The Group noted the recent activities of the Global Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and the role of NGDOs. Members of the Group were encouraged to support LF activities where there is overlap of onchocerciasis and LF. The Group was informed of the Vision 2020 General Assembly in Bahrain in September. In view of the importance of Onchocerciasis in Phase I of Vision 2020, a presentation will be made about achievements in onchocerciasis control. However, there is still need to reinforce the importance of the ongoing activities of Mectizan@ distribution and this should be emphasized at the Assembly for inclusion in Phase II. Members of the Group will be requested by the Chair to forward 7 5o/o of their annual contributions for the NGDO Coordination post to Sight Savers Intemational. This will cover the period to the end of the mandate of the present Coordinator. The Group expressed its appreciation to Dr Frank Richards for his work and efforts made in carrying forward the mission of onchocerciasis control and his active participation in the work of the Group. The Group wished him the very best in his future endeavors. In view of the pending departure of the Coordinator, the Group continued its work on making a decision on a replacement. It was agreed that the 22nd meeting of the Group will be held on 8-10 September 2003 in Geneva, prior to the TCC meeting in Ouagadougou. 7 8 9 10 11. 12 rJ 14. 15 16