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

75MEKONG-PLUS PROGRAMMEREVIEW GROUPThe Mekong-Plus countries — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,China, Indonesia, the Lao People’s DemocraticRepublic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Republicof Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam — comeunder the auspices of two WHO regions: South-East Asiaand the Western Pacific. Geographically, the countriesextend from India to Australia and form one of the mostheavily LF-endemic areas of the world containing allthree species of parasite: W. bancrofti, B. malayi and B.timori. Excluding China and the Republic of Korea, thetotal population in the 10 countries that are endemicamounts to about 500 million and the at-risk populationis estimated at about 255 million. Brugia spp predominatein many countries of the Mekong-Plus region and insome countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, zoonoticinfections and transmission are important. Many of thecountries in the Mekong-Plus region have common bordersand hence cross-border spread of infection is a majorproblem resulting from human migration.The Mekong-Plus PRG was established in late 2001 underan interregional agreement. The Mekong-Plus PRG heldits fourth meeting on 23–24 October 2003 in Manila, thePhilippines, at which the progress of activities in eachcountry was thoroughly reviewed; constraints and problemswere brought to light and solutions were proposed.Many PRG members were involved in country missionsto Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Namto discuss problems related to implementation and advocacy;their proactive role at country level is an importantgoodwill activity that facilitates progress.To date, mapping for endemicity has been completed inall of the eight endemic countries, except the Lao People’sDemocratic Republic. MDA with DEC plus albendazolehas commenced in all Mekong-Plus countries except theLao People’s Democratic Republic, where the endemicstatus has yet to be determined (see Table 3.17).Table 3.17 Status of activities in the Mekong-Plus Programme Review Group, 2003CountryBruneiDarussalamPlan ofActionMapping Applied First MDA Target Problems— Completed — — — FundsAnnual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003Chapter 3 Programme implementationCambodia Completed Completed — 2004 2007 FundsChina — — — — Completed Elimination criteriaIndonesia Completed Completed Completed 2003 2010 Commitment andadvocacyLao People’sDemocraticRepublic— — — — — CommitmentMalaysia In progress Completed In progress 2003 2010 Funds for first yearMyanmar Completed Completed Completed 2001 2010 LogisticsPhilippines Completed Completed Completed 1999 2010 Commitment andadvocacyRepublic ofKorea— — — — Completed Elimination criteriaThailand Completed Completed Completed 2002 2008 AdvocacyTimor-Leste Completed Completed In progress — 2010 AdvocacyViet Nam Completed Completed In progress 2003 2010 Commitment