Research Links | Mainstreaming and non-participation in NTD programs: Insights from HCEC supported projects in Nigeria and Ghana
The World Health Organization (WHO) NTD Roadmap 2021-2030 calls for holistic, cross-cutting approaches including integration across NTDs, mainstreaming in national health systems, coordinating with adjacent sectors and strengthening country capacity and global support. The HCEC is inviting colleagues at partner institutions to share recent insights on NTD program mainstreaming with health systems and on the barriers people face in taking part in multiple health campaigns.
The first panel features Drs. Abel Eigege and Emmanuel Emukah, Directors at the Carter Center – Nigeria and Dr. Jenna Coalson, Epidemiologist. Working with state and local governments in Plateau, Nasarawa, Edo, and Delta States of Nigeria, the Carter Center investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of transitioning to government ownership the schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth control programs.
The second panel features Dr. Alison Krentel of the University of Ottawa and the Bruyère Research Institute (Canada), Dr. Christiana Rialine Titaley of Universitas Pattimura (Indonesia) and Dr. Maxwell Dalaba of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (Ghana). Through participatory qualitative methods, these teams and partners uncovered some key drivers of non-participation, or 'never-treated' phenomenon, in multiple health campaigns, such as NTDs, immunization, malaria, and COVID-19 measures. The teams will recommend ways campaigns and health systems can address these factors and meet the needs of community members.