Trachoma Matters - FALL 2011

Three New Countries Receive Trachoma Treatments: Burundi, Cameroon, Malawi

ITI is excited to announce that three new countries received their first shipments of Zithromax® this year and are undertaking mass distribution. Burundi, Cameroon and Malawi were approved by ITI's Trachoma Expert Committee (TEC) in 2010.

The TEC meets twice a year to examine data, assess progress, and advise on actions needed in the fight to eliminate blinding trachoma. They also evaluate applications from countries that seek donations of Zithromax®. Their criteria include disease burden, resources committed, national ownership/commitment, partnerships, effective strategies for mass distribution, implementation of the full SAFE Strategy, and monitoring and evaluation.

Educating Journalists about Trachoma Control

A unique training workshop took place recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when 26 journalists gathered to learn about blinding trachoma and efforts to eliminate it in their country.

The workshop was sponsored by ITI and Ethiopia's Federal Ministry of Health. Radio, TV and newspaper reporters journeyed from across the country to attend.

Kemal Anshi Mohamoud, Government Communication Affairs Officer for Somali Region discusses trachoma at the journalist's workshop in Addis Ababa.

2020 INSight: A New Global Strategic Plan to Eliminate Blinding Trachoma

The International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) recently released the publication 2020 INSight, a global strategic plan aiming to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020.

With funding from Pfizer, ITI coordinated the creation of the strategic document on behalf of the international coalition of partners making up the ICTC. McKinsey & Company conducted interviews with a diverse group of stakeholders and analyzed and compiled the lessons learned. It was a true collaborative effort with more than a dozen partners and experts from around the world.

Collaborating for Greater Knowledge and Advocacy on Trachoma

ITI collaborated recently with partners to create a website that shows where NGOs work with Ministries of Health to implement the SAFE strategy.

ITI managed construction of the site: www.trachomacoalition.org

for the International Coalition of Trachoma Control (ICTC). The main goal of the site is to provide the latest information on where and how NGOs are implementing the SAFE strategy.

News Briefs

Remembering a Fighter Against NTDs: Dr. Likezo Mubila

Partners in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are mourning the loss of a dear colleague and friend, Dr. Likezo Mubila, who died Aug. 4 in her sleep at home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Dr. Mubila served in the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa since 2001. As the focal person for lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis, she used her outstanding field experience to bring an authoritative voice on the impact of these devastating diseases to major international conferences, strategic meetings, and in respected publications. We will all miss her greatly but hope to honor her valuable legacy by sustaining our commitment to fighting NTDs on all fronts. More details on her work can be found in the WHO's statement on her passing.

Meet Four New ITI Team Members

Teshome Gebre, PhD. is ITI's Regional Representative for Africa, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As a senior ITI representative, he liaises with governments of trachoma-endemic countries and other stakeholders, planning comprehensive programs, ensuring epidemiologic justification for the drug donation, and assessing adequacy of resources for program implementation. He also provides technical support for the development, implementation and evaluation of sustainable trachoma elimination programs, often in collaboration with integrated Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) initiatives. Learn More

Noah Kafumbe is ITI's new Supply Chain Manager. Noah has over 8 years of international experience in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States working for non-profit, government and private sectors. He has expertise in program and project management, logistics and supply chain strategy, operations management and emergency planning. Prior to joining ITI, Noah worked for Marks & Spencer (UK), American Red Cross, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Medtronic Corporation. Learn More

Chantal Veira is a Senior Program Associate for ITI. She provides program support to French speaking countries implementing the SAFE strategy and technical assistance for the scale up of the Zithromax® donation in new countries. She assists with preparation of annual forecasts and drug applications, as well as the development of national Trachoma Action Plans that aim at eliminating trachoma as a source of blindness. Learn More

Martine Muffon is ITI's Logistics Coordinator for French-speaking countries. A native of France, she relocated to Atlanta after 19 years with Digital Equipment Corporation at its European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. As ITI's Logistics Coordinator for francophone countries, she is responsible for assisting in all matters related to the coordination of shipments of Zithromax® to recipient countries, analysis and reporting, and liaising with recipient countries and Pfizer. Learn More

FALL 2011

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A quarterly e-newsletter from the International Trachoma Initative (ITI), dedicated to the elimination of blinding trachoma, the world's leading cause of preventable blindness.