Other
Strengthening health systems through NTD integration: Key insights from a multi-country webinar.
Nadia Rozendaal, Marie Adama Bassabi-Alladji, Tesfahun Bishaw, Wyckliff Omondi, Aina Faes Tolotra et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This document describes a webinar synthesizing experiences from nine countries on integrating Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) control into national health systems. It reports examples such as integrating mass drug administration into maternal and child health weeks in Rwanda and polio vaccination campaigns in Madagascar, with claims of high treatment coverage and significant cost savings. The document notes implementation challenges including increased health worker workload and gaps in health information systems.
Key points
- Rwanda achieved treatment coverage above 90% and 100% geographical coverage through integration of NTD interventions with maternal and child health weeks
- Madagascar reduced expenses by up to 89% by integrating mass drug administration with polio vaccination campaigns
- Common implementation challenges include increased workloads for health workers and gaps in health information systems for tracking MDA activities
- Integration is presented as strengthening national health systems and contributing to universal health coverage
Limitations
This is a webinar summary reporting experiences rather than a rigorous evaluation, so specific outcome data is limited and unverified. The document does not provide details on study design, sample sizes, or statistical significance of reported results.
Abstract
The integration of Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) control and elimination into national health systems is a strategic imperative, driven by shifting global health priorities and evolving funding landscapes. A webinar hosted by the Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE) taken place on 8 July 2025 synthesizes nine country experiences demonstrating innovative models for embedding NTD interventions within established platforms, ranging from integrating mass drug administration (MDA) into maternal and child health weeks in Rwanda to leveraging national polio vaccination campaigns in Madagascar. These integrated models yielded significant, quantifiable benefits, including enhanced operational efficiency and greater national ownership. Evidence from Rwanda demonstrates the potential for achieving treatment coverage above 90% and 100% geographical coverage. Moreover, integration produced substantial cost savings, with Madagascar's integration of MDA with polio vaccination reducing expenses by up to 89%. However, implementation is not without challenges. Common obstacles include increased workloads for health workers, gaps in health information systems, which often lack specific indicators for tracking MDA activities, and the persistent need for sustained domestic resource mobilization. Despite these hurdles, the webinar concludes that strategic, well-planned integration is a vital pathway for amplifying the impact of NTD programs. This approach not only strengthens the resilience of national health systems but also contributes meaningfully to the advancement of universal health coverage for all.