Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ... - libdoc.who.int

126Annual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003ANNEXES Annex 1 Reports of Major International Supports and PartnersHaiti, through its long-standing collaborations in LFresearch and control with CDC and the University ofNotre Dame, was among the first countries to initiate amodel MDA programme and to follow its very positiveimpact yearly at sentinel sites. One million people weretargeted in 2003, with a coverage rate of 77%. Operationalresearch in Haiti continues to make substantialcontributions to the global programme: for example,investigators have shown that hookworm prevalence isdecreased by 85% after only two cycles of MDA.American Samoa initiated LF elimination activities in2000, but lack of resources prevented the programme fromachieving desired coverage levels. CDC supported thedepartment of health by assigning a staff member to assistwith the development of enhanced social mobilizationactivities and new mass treatment strategies in schools andchurches. As a result of this increased effort, antifilarialdrug coverage in American Samoa exceeded 70% in 2003.Monitoring and evaluationConceptual tasksThe Atlanta Group developed various documents onurgent aspects of monitoring and evaluation for GPELF,including a paper on indicators for monitoring disabilityand disability programmes, a technical working paperon surveillance after stopping MDA, guidelines forexternal evaluators for verifying absence of transmission,and a DEC-fortified salt programme manual.Field activitiesThe following tasks were supported by the Atlanta Group tofurther the development of quality monitoring and evaluationdata for GPELF. Funds and technical assistance weregiven to five countries for collecting data. The group supportedthe testing of new coverage assessment methodsin Nigeria and Sri Lanka. It also assisted the developmentand standardization of a field-friendly kit for PCR-based 9DNA detection of LF in mosquitoes, supported field studiesto use these kits to verify absence of transmission, andaided research to define an antibody test indicating exposureof individuals to filarial infection.Didactic activitiesThe profile developed by the Atlanta Group for capturingdata for monitoring and evaluation was used in eight countries.Members of the group also addressed programmemanagers in all regions on the new technical monitoringand evaluation recommendations from GPELF.Socioeconomic studies ofLF elimination programmesProgramme costs. In 2003, five countries (Burkina Faso,the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana and Haiti) finishedcollecting programme cost data and four newcountries (Guyana, India, the Philippines and the UnitedRepublic of Tanzania) began collecting data. Costs of disabilitymanagement were also collected in the DominicanRepublic and Haiti. These studies will supply thedata essential for estimating total GPELF costs for LFelimination. In addition, cost-effectiveness analyses ofMDA and lymphoedema management programmes inthe Dominican Republic and Haiti will be completed in2004.Quality-of-life impact studies. The quality-of-life studiesbegun in the Dominican Republic, Ghana and Haiticontinued to make progress in 2003. These studies aremeasuring the impact of LF-related disability at the individual,household and community levels. Results will besubmitted for publication in 2004.Fundraising and advocacy efforts. The Atlanta Groupassisted the GAELF Task Force on Advocacy and Fundraisingin the design of a fundraising tool kit and trainingcourse. The course, given twice in 2003, is intended toassist LF programmes to raise funds from donors withintheir countries and regions. The tool kit is available atwww.filariasis.us in English and French.GLAXOSMITHKLINEGSK’s commitment to GPELF is to donate albendazole foras long as necessary until LF is eliminated. In 2003 thecompany donated 94 million treatments of albendazoleto 34 countries, bringing the cumulative total to date to240 million treatments shipped since 1999. In additionto supplying albendazole, in 2003 more than US$ 1 millionin grants were made to support safety and researchactivities, Global Alliance communications and advocacy,monitoring and evaluation initiatives, regional coordination,social mobilization training, disability prevention9polymerase chain reaction.