Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis control in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire: implementing control on a limited budget.

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis occur throughout the developing world and remain a major public health problem in the poorest communities with enormous consequences for development. The extent of the problem has long been neglected because these diseases rarely kill at a young age and also because of their insidious nature. Today there exists a momentum and an unprecedented opportunity for a cost-effective control of these neglected tropical diseases. The control of these diseases has become a priority on the agenda of many governments, donors and international agencies. This paper highlights the progress made and future control activities in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire, where schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis control measures have been implemented over the past decade with limited budgets. In Cameroon, deworming activities were increased to encompass all ten regions in 2007 as a result of a co-ordinated effort of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education with national and international partners. In Côte d'Ivoire, focal control activities were achieved with support from various partners. Prospects, opportunities and challenges for the control of neglected tropical diseases in these two countries are discussed.

[Control of schistosomiasis: challenge and prospects for the 21st century]. / Lutte contre la schistosomose: défi et perspectives pour le XXIe siècle.

Schistosomiasis occurs throughout the developing world and remains a major public health problem in the poorest communities with enormous consequences for development. More than 200 million people are infected and this poverty-related disease is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The extent of the problem has long been neglected because the disease rarely kills and due to its insidious nature, signs and symptoms are taken seriously only after permanent impairment has occurred. Moreover; as many other poverty-related communicable diseases, schistosomiasis has been overshadowed by other health priorities. Today schistosomiasis control is a priority on the agenda of many governments, donors and international agencies. A momentum as well as an unprecedented opportunity do exist for cost-effective action. Importantly, the renewed impetus for schistosomiasis control throughout sub-Saharan Africa reinforces the need for operational research to improve our understanding of the disease. The strengthening of the national capacity in endemic countries, a greater commitment of governments and communities from these developing countries, and an efficient stakeholder coordination are vital for a successful and durable control. The paper highlights the current opportunities and challenge for schistosomiasis control for the 21st century. By working all together, we have a great opportunity to take up the challenge and to improve the health of the poor.