Congratulations to our November 2008 grantees:
Partners In Health
Foundation for African Medicine and Education
African Services Committee
Micronutrient Initiative
The next Board meeting to select new grantees is April 6-9, 2009
Partners In Health
Foundation for African Medicine and Education
African Services Committee
Micronutrient Initiative
The next Board meeting to select new grantees is April 6-9, 2009
Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis - Zanzibar
As an early partner in the global initiative, the Zanzibar campaign against lymphatic filariasis (LF) commenced in 2001. With a smaller and accessible community the Zanzibar LF Programme has been very successful in conducting mass drug administration (MDA), with the objective of interrupting LF transmission. The MDA was conducted over six years (2001–2006) using a combination of ivermectin and albendazole via a house-to-house drug distribution strategy and a very intensive social mobilization campaign.An important component of the success of the program was the achievement of a coverage rate exceeding that recommended by the WHO to ensure interruption of transmission. In the two sentinel sites, surveys indicated that prior to the first MDA the mf prevalence in Kizimkazi was 17.8% with an mf density 356 mf/ml, while in Kwahani, the mf prevalence before first MDA was 7.2% with an mf density 323 mf/ml. In several surveys conducted after the fifth and sixth rounds of MDA to determine the mf prevalence, the result was zero in both sites- an achievement greatly contributed to by the high coverage rate.
In addition to the high coverage rate, there were several other contributing factors to the success of the Zanzibar LF elimination program. Particularly of note is the popularity of the program within communities, the political commitment and the extensive and strong health care infrastructure.
Zanzibar has now almost achieved the elimination of lymphatic filariasis. As a result of its success, future generations will not suffer from this debilitating disease.
Morbidity management is another main objective of the LF program. Hydrocele surgery is being carried out in all district hospitals and more than 600 patients have received training in home based lymphoedema management. As a result a decline in the frequency of adenolymphangitis (fevers), an improvement in the general health of most patients has been reported.
The Zanzibar Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis is grateful to its many partners including WHO, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co. Inc., Liverpool LF Support Centre, the Izumi Foundation and others for their support and contribution to the success of the program.