ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic hit at a time when the Ascend West and Central Africa programme was nearing the end of its first year of a 3-y programme. This article reflects on key lessons learnt from the rapid adaptation of an integrated neglected tropical disease (NTD) programme to support COVID-19 responses in 11 countries. It shares the experiences of adopting a flexible and directive approach, leveraging the NTD network and relationships, and working in collaboration with multiple ministry departments, commercial sector partners and the UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office to repurpose over £6 million of budget.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Community Participation , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Pandemics/prevention & control , Tropical Medicine/methods , Communication , Community Health Workers , Humans , Neglected Diseases/prevention & control , Public Health , Risk , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic showing no signs of abating, resuming neglected tropical disease (NTD) activities, particularly mass drug administration (MDA), is vital. Failure to resume activities will not only enhance the risk of NTD transmission, but will fail to leverage behaviour change messaging on the importance of hand and face washing and improved sanitation-a common strategy for several NTDs that also reduces the risk of COVID-19 spread. This so-called "hybrid approach" will demonstrate best practices for mitigating the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by incorporating physical distancing, use of masks, and frequent hand-washing in the delivery of medicines to endemic communities and support action against the transmission of the virus through water, sanitation and hygiene interventions promoted by NTD programmes. Unless MDA and morbidity management activities resume, achievement of NTD targets as projected in the WHO/NTD Roadmap (2021-2030) will be deferred, the aspirational goal of NTD programmes to enhance universal health coverage jeopardised and the call to 'leave no one behind' a hollow one. We outline what implementing this hybrid approach, which aims to strengthen health systems, and facilitate integration and cross-sector collaboration, can achieve based on work undertaken in several African countries.