Act | East at ASMTH 2021

05 Nov 2021

At ASTMH 2021, experts from the USAID Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | East program will contribute to four symposia and six scientific sessions. We look forward to leading important conversations, as well as sharing research and insights from our experience supporting national neglected tropical disease programs in 12 countries. Join us to discuss the latest progress in the fight against NTDs!

Thursday, November 18

Break on Through: New technologies to defeat ancient diseases

Symposium, 8-9:45am

Scott McPherson, RTI International (Chair)

Investigating mass drug administration coverage and contributors to persistent trachoma transmission in Moroto District, Uganda

Scientific session, 8-8:10am

Joyce Achan, RTI International (Presenter)

Post-Treatment Surveillance for Onchocerciasis in Plateau and Nasarawa, Nigeria: evidence for elimination of transmission

Scientific session, 12:55-1:05pm

Abel Eigege, The Carter Center, Nigeria (Presenter)

Onchocerciasis elimination status in five Carter Center-supported states in southern Nigeria: measuring progress towards onchocerciasis elimination

Scientific session, 1:05-1:15pm

Emmanual Emukah, The Carter Center, Nigeria (Presenter)

The long and winding road: data gathering, documentation and advocacy as trachoma and LF programs near elimination

Symposium, 5:15-7:00pm

Molly Brady, RTI International (Co-Chair)

Friday, November 19

Piloting COVID-19 prevention measures during trachoma surveys in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Poster, 12-12:10pm

Jeremiah Ngondi, RTI International (Presenter)

Saturday, November 20

Beyond the Campaign: Integration of vertical disease programs into primary care, lessons learned from NTDs and malaria

Symposium, 8-9:45am

Erin Eckert, RTI International and Akpaka Kalu, World Health Organization (Co-Chairs)

A Template for integration of malaria and NTD program activities Anastasia Pantelias, Bridges to Development
The evolution of tools used to measure treatment for malaria and NTDs: achievements and gaps Mawo Fall, RTI International (presenter):
Moving towards the ‘end-game’: specialized approaches for elimination and opportunities for integration Upendo Mwingira, RTI International (presenter)
Lessons learned from piloting the integration template Chukwu Okoronkwo, National Malaria Control Program, Nigeria

Baseline prevalence of trachoma in refugee settlements in Uganda: results of 11 population-based surveys

Scientific session, 8:30-8:40am

Gilbert Baayenda, Uganda Ministry of Health

Addressing gender equity and social inclusion barriers to improve access and uptake of mass drug administration among school-aged children in Tanzania

Poster, 11-11:10am

Isaac Njau, Tanzania Ministry of Health (Presenter)

Missing No More: Understanding health access barriers through different platforms

Symposium, 12:45-2pm

Taroub Faramand and Sara Pappa, WI-HER (Co-chairs)

Missing persons: what we learned about MDA absenteeism from 10+ years of Coverage Evaluation Surveys Diana Lu, RTI International (presenter)
Identifying the missed, reaching the unreached: multiple approaches to assess and strengthen a community-based platform to reach the last mile in lymphatic filariasis elimination in Nepal Lila Bikram Thapa, Nepal Ministry of Health and Population (presenter)
Changing behaviors, changing intent: applying a gender- and equity-based approach to reaching those who have been missed through a school-based platform Stella Mwita, WI-HER (presenter)
Improving identification, management, and response of gender-based violence survivors in Kenya: example of Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru County, Kenya Luseka Mwanzi, WI-HER (presenter)