Rising to the challenge: Learning and adapting NTD programming in a changing landscape
The Neglected Tropical Disease Network for NGOs (NNN) COVID working group and the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD) Research Links series is excited to announce a joint three-session series entitled: Rising to the challenge: A year of NTD programming and research during COVID. The first session, to be held on June 10th 2021, will focus on lessons learnt by national NTD programs currently implementing activities. The second session, to be held in July 2021, will provide insight into monitoring and evaluation challenges during the COVID-19 crisis. The third session, to be held in August 2021, will highlight the results of several research studies focused on the challenges and successes of adapting implementation strategies in light of COVID-19 restrictions.
The first of these sessions, Rising to the challenge: Learning and adapting NTD programming in a changing landscape, will be held on June 10th, 2021, at 8:00am EDT.
This session presents perspectives from ministries of health on restarting NTD activities during the COVID pandemic, which include: mass drug administration, NTD surveys, case finding, and case management. Presentations will provide the local COVID context, including disease epidemiology, government response, community perceptions, and stakeholder coordination. They will explain how the decision to restart was made, including the process for risk assessment and the risk mitigation measures that were put in place. Lessons learnt during implementation, including unexpected challenges, new resources identified, and innovative solutions, will also be discussed.