Major Public Health Gains in River Blindness Control and Community Development
Over 62 Million People Were Treated In Africa In 2006
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- Kwatu Dada (about 65 years old) is blind due to onchocerciasis. He lives in Kwaku Village in Nigeria. The mark on his forehead shows that he carries the parasitic worm, which causes onchocerciasis. Untreated, this leads to blindness. © CBM / Argum / Einberger
The Non Governmental Development Organisations group for Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) control at their regular meeting at the headquarters of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) noted the major gains made in fighting the disease. This has led not only to significant symptomatic relief for over 60 million people world wide, but also to progress in drug distribution systems and community development.
Community ownership of these health programmes has inspired many other developments in some of the remotest parts of the world including in areas of conflict. This has been made possible by the unprecedented donation of Mectizan (ivermectin), as much as is needed for as long as is needed, by Merck & Co., Inc.
Further informtion: Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)
Community ownership of these health programmes has inspired many other developments in some of the remotest parts of the world including in areas of conflict. This has been made possible by the unprecedented donation of Mectizan (ivermectin), as much as is needed for as long as is needed, by Merck & Co., Inc.
Further informtion: Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)
Latin America has eliminated onchocerciasis
Within the APOC partnership over 62 million people were treated in Africa in 2006, by national programmes supported by NGDOs. These treatments are taking place even in countries in recent or ongoing conflict, such as Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
In Latin America there has been such great progress that in some areas treatment is no longer required. 430,000 people are still under treatment in six Latin American countries but in a few years time the region will be free of the disease.
These remarkable developments have been made possible by strong community support and ownership developed by the APOC partners.
In Latin America there has been such great progress that in some areas treatment is no longer required. 430,000 people are still under treatment in six Latin American countries but in a few years time the region will be free of the disease.
These remarkable developments have been made possible by strong community support and ownership developed by the APOC partners.
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Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation.
Photo: WHO/Peter Williams.
Onchocerciasis control now also embraces other neglected tropical diseases
NGDOs have been active in developing innovative approaches to integrating onchocerciasis control with other health and development activities, and in the words of Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation “the campaign to eliminate river blindness began as the most vertical programme imaginable; helicopters dropping insecticides out of the sky. In its quest for sustainability, the programme now embraces the principles of primary health care”. This programme is now tackling other “Neglected Tropical Diseases” such as trachoma, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis).
30 million people remain to be reached through the onchocerciasis control programme. In addition 500 million people in Africa suffer from one or more of the neglected tropical diseases and need increasing support to escape the vicious cycle of disease and poverty.
30 million people remain to be reached through the onchocerciasis control programme. In addition 500 million people in Africa suffer from one or more of the neglected tropical diseases and need increasing support to escape the vicious cycle of disease and poverty.
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- A bottle of mectizan.
Merck & Mectizan
The company Merck has been donating Mectizan (ivermectin) since 1987 – a 20 years’ anniversary. At the moment, Mectizan is the only drug available for mass distribution. The cost of a tablet is 1.5 USD and the average dose is 3 tablets.
The NGDO group for Onchocerciasis control noted recent articles raising the question of potential resistance to Ivermectin. One group of patients in Ghana have been classed as non-responders for several years. The articles are still open to interpretation and the group fully supports the Mectizan Expert Committee, APOC, and WHO Tropical Disease Research Department in their ongoing efforts to address the findings. However in the words of Dr Luis Sambo WHO Regional Director, in his address on 29 August 2007 to the Regional Committee for Africa there is still a need to “maintain high ivermectin treatment coverage.”
The NGDO group for Onchocerciasis control noted recent articles raising the question of potential resistance to Ivermectin. One group of patients in Ghana have been classed as non-responders for several years. The articles are still open to interpretation and the group fully supports the Mectizan Expert Committee, APOC, and WHO Tropical Disease Research Department in their ongoing efforts to address the findings. However in the words of Dr Luis Sambo WHO Regional Director, in his address on 29 August 2007 to the Regional Committee for Africa there is still a need to “maintain high ivermectin treatment coverage.”
Members of the Group
CBM (Home)
Helen Keller International (HKI)
Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA)
Light for the World(LW)
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)
Mectizan Donation Program (MDP)
Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH)
Organisation pour la Prévention de la Cécité (OPC)
The Carter Center (CC)
Sight Savers International (SSI)
United Front Against Riverblindness (UFAR)
US Fund for UNICEF
Charitable Society for Social Welfare (CSSW)
Helen Keller International (HKI)
Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA)
Light for the World(LW)
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)
Mectizan Donation Program (MDP)
Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH)
Organisation pour la Prévention de la Cécité (OPC)
The Carter Center (CC)
Sight Savers International (SSI)
United Front Against Riverblindness (UFAR)
US Fund for UNICEF
Charitable Society for Social Welfare (CSSW)
