Conclusions & Recommendations

Beneshangul Gumuz (BG): TEC recommends that ITI work with the FMOH and the RHB to better understand the current situation in the Bambasi and Tongo camps, including the refugees’ origin and the type of camp (open vs. closed). This information may be submitted to the TEC refugee subcommittee and the algorithm applied to determine whether any further action is needed.

Amhara: TEC recommends that ITI work with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Regional Health Bureau (RHB), and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) study team to quantify the Zithromax® needs for the KETFO trial.

TEC noted with sadness the loss of Dr. Tebebe Yemane Berhan, a tireless advocate for the trachoma program in Ethiopia.

TEC encourages partners to work with the MOH to identify what will be needed to prepare the program’s elimination dossier.

TEC also notes the trichiasis surgery needs in Sudan.

TEC notes with sadness the passing of Dr. Nabil, long-time Country Director for The Carter Center and former head of the Ministry of Health Guinea Worm Eradication Program in Sudan, whose support to the trachoma program was so vital to its progress over the years.

TEC recognizes the current gap in leadership at the MOH and urges WHO-EMR and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)-EMR to undertake high-level advocacy for filling the gap in leadership and for taking the trachoma program forward. TEC is prepared to offer assistance to this process, and in particular looks forward to receiving a Zithromax® Application for consideration to address the scale of the trachoma needs in Egypt.

TEC notes with concern the challenges with funding and technical support for Afghanistan and Yemen and program delays in Pakistan.

TEC recommends that ITI collaborate with The Task Force for Global Health to convene a meeting including partners and experts (e.g., a pharmacologist) to discuss more-frequent-than-annual MDA and other topics of urgency to the global trachoma program.

TEC recognizes the urgency to achieving elimination of trachoma as a public health problem and will continue to meet in consultation with WHO and informed experts to develop actionable guidance for decision-making.