16 March 2017 – The 15th meeting of the Regional Programme Review Group on Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination and other Preventive Chemotherapy Programmes was convened by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in Amman, Jordan, from 18 to 20 October 2016.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the ministries of health of Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen (the latter delegation via teleconference). The event was also attended by experts on neglected tropical diseases, representatives of partner institutions, such as Mectizan Donation Programme, Deworm the World Initiative – Evidence Action, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Interactive Research and Development.
Also in attendance were representatives from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the World Food Programme (WFP) and WHO staff from headquarters, the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and country offices in Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen.
The objectives of the meeting were to:
- provide up-to-date information on preventive chemotherapy/control of neglected tropical diseases (lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and trachoma in some countries) at country, regional and global level;
- review progress made in countries in 2015 and 2016 (mapping, treatment, monitoring and evaluation, morbidity management and disability prevention);
- review country action plans for 2017 (drug requests, mapping, treatment, monitoring and evaluation, morbidity management and disability prevention);
- provide normative and operational feedback to countries;
- agree on donated drug requirements for 2017.
The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations based on discussions held and feedback provided during the meeting.
