Act | East at ASMTH 2022

20 Oct 2022

At ASTMH’s 2022 Annual Meeting, tropical medicine and global health experts from the Act to End NTDs | East program will contribute to three symposia and 17 scientific sessions and poster presentations. From October 30 to November 3 in Seattle, Washington, we will be leading important conversations, as well as sharing research and insights from our experience supporting 13 countries in the control and elimination of NTDs. Join us to discuss the latest progress in addressing NTDs!

Monday, October 31st

3:00 pm Pacific Time (PT)

Room 618/619/620

Symposium

The benefits of electronic data collection to improve information and decision making for disease elimination and eradication programs

Organizer: Clara Burgert-Brucker, RTI International

  • Leveraging electronic data to advance the interruption of Guinea Worm transmission in Chad, Maryann Delea, The Carter Center
  • Strategic use of health information systems towards malaria elimination in Zanzibar, Abdul-wahid Al-mafazy, RTI International
  • LF elimination surveys and more in Guyana, Reza Niles-Robin, Guyana Ministry of Health
  • EDC across LF programmatic lifespan from MDA to surveys in Haiti, Alain Javel, RTI International

4:00 pm PT

Room 611/612

Significant progress towards eliminating lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem in the rainforests of southeastern Nigeria

  • Emmanuel Emukah, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Cephas Ityonzughul, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Abel Eigege, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Adamu Sallau, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Emily Griswold, The Carter Center, United States
  • Emmanuel Miri, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Davies, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Michael Nse Akpan, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Perpetua Amodu-Agbi, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Stella Obiukwu, Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Obikwelu, Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Joseph Oduma, State Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Solomon Offor, Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Ifeoma Otiji, Enugu State Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • Gregory S. Noland, The Carter Center, United States

6:30 pm PT

Room 606/607

Country ownership of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Tanzania: Resource mobilization through Comprehensive Council Health Plans in Tanzania

  • Wemaeli Mweteni, RTI international, Tanzania
  • Kennedy Z. Panja, RTI international, Tanzania
  • Chihiyo W. Mlay, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Oscar C. Kaitaba, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Isac K. Njau, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Edwin M. Chao, Ministry of Health, Tanzania,
  • George E. Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Wangeci Thuo, RTI International, United States
  • Jose Gonzalez, Program officer, Results for Development (R4D)
  • Alex Chekole, Regional Hub Health Systems and Financing Program Officer (R4D)

Tuesday, November 1st

12:00 pm – 1:45 pm PT

Poster Session B - Hall 4A

Towards onchocerciasis elimination: promising trend on epidemiological evaluation results in Tanzania

  • Clarer Jones Mwansasu, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Oscar Kaitaba, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Alpha Malishee, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Veronica Kabona, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Katie Crowley, RTI International, United States
  • Julius Masaninka, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Shabbir Lalji, RTI International, Tanzania
  • George Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania

Comparison of household participation in community-directed treatment for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis elimination in two countries

  • Emily Griswold, The Carter Center, United States
  • Jenna Coalson, The Carter Center, United States
  • Yewondwossen Bitew, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Abel Eigege, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Emukah, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Mohammed Hassen, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Cephas Ityonzughul, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Desalegn Jemberie, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Aderajew Mohammed, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Adamu Sallau, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Tewodros Seid, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Abebual Yilak, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Emmanuel Miri, The Carter Center, Nigeria
  • Zerihun Tadesse, The Carter Center, Ethiopia
  • Gregory S. Noland, The Carter Center, United States

Factors associated with persistent transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in 3 districts in Tanzania

  • Veronica Kabona, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Faraja Lyamuya, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Ambakisye Mhiche, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Julius Masanika, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Shabbir Lalji, RTI International, Tanzania,
  • Molly Brady, RTI International, United States
  • Erica Shoemaker, RTI International, United States
  • George Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania

Mass drug administration coverage and determinants of drug uptake for elimination of onchocerciasis transmission in Ulanga District, Tanzania

  • Ambakisye Kuyokwa Mhiche, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Dinah Gasarasi, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Tanzania
  • Oscar Kaitaba, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • George E. Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Akili Kalinga, National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania
  • Ahmed M. Abade, Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (TFELTP), Tanzania

Onchocerciasis elimination progress after two decades of treatment; last mile challenges in Mahenge , Tanzania

  • Clarer Jones Mwansasu, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Ezekiel Mangi, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Tanzania
  • Oscar Kaitaba, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Alpha Malishee, Ministry of Health, Tanzania,
  • Julius Masanika, RTI International, Tanzania
  • Shabbir Lalji, RTI International, Tanzania
  • George Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania

Raising the visibility of NTDs in the discussion of domestic health resource allocation: Lessons from Colombia, Guatemala, and the Philippines

  • Jose Gonzalez, Results for Development (R4D), United States
  • Richard Killian, RTI International, United States
  • Maria Francisco, R4D, United States

Improving Trachoma Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in pastoralist and mobile populations in Moroto district; Lessons learnt from a Data Quality Assessment (DQA)

  • Joyce Achan, RTI International, Uganda
  • Raphael Opon, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Edwin Mayoki, RTI International, Uganda
  • Stephen Begumisa, RTI International, Uganda
  • Edridah Muheki, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Elizabeth Plunkett, RTI International, United States
  • Elizabeth Sutherland, RTI International, United States
  • Alex Rutagwabeyi, RTI International, Uganda
  • Ivan Ankunda, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Stella Agunyo, RTI International, Uganda
  • Stephen Otim, Amudat District Local Government, Uganda
  • Caroline Apuun, Amudat District Local Government, Uganda
  • Hans Lokale, Amudat District Local Government, Uganda
  • Alfred Mubangizi, Ministry of Health, Uganda

4:00 pm PT

Room 615/616/617 (6th Floor)

Symposium

WHO verification Guidelines for Onchocerciasis Elimination: Perspectives of defining Onchocerciasis Transmission Zones in East Africa including areas co-endemic with Lymphatic Filariasis

Organizers: Upendo Mwingira, RTI International and Darin Evans, USAID

  • Approach towards delineating Onchocerciasis transmission in areas co-endemic with Lymphatic Filariasis: Tanzania perspective, Akili Kalinga, National Institute for Medical Research
  • Galabat-Metema cross-border onchocerciasis focus, the first co-ordinated interruption of transmission in Africa with a hotspot (Sudan-Ethiopia), Asam Zroug, Federal Ministry of Health
  • Delineation of Wude Gemuz Hotspot in Galabat-Metema focus, and intensification of interventions (Ethiopia), Fikre Seife, Federal MOH
  • Shrinking the onchocerciasis map of Bunyoro region of Western Uganda through delineation of transmission zones (Uganda), Edridah Muheki, Ministry of Health
  • Delineation in diffuse transmission settings, Moses Katabarwa, RTI International

4:45 pm PT

Room 602/603/604

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Qualitative Assessments of Persistent Transmission of NTDs in 5 Countries

  • Elizabeth Sutherland, RTI International, United States
  • Erica Shoemaker, RTI International, United States
  • Jeremiah Ngondi, RTI International, United States
  • Nseobong Akpan, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria
  • George Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
  • Marilia Massangaie, MISAU, Mozambique
  • Alfred Mubangizi, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Fikre Seife, Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia
  • Molly Brady, RTI International, United States

Wednesday, November 2nd

11 am – 12:45 pm PT

Poster Session C - Hall 4A  

Gender, equity and social inclusion (GESI) integration into the Tanzania Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Programme: learning and experiences from Mlimba District Council (DC) 

  • Isaac Njau, Tanzania Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, Tanzania 
  • George Kabona,Tanzania Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, Tanzania  
  • USAID’s Act to End NTDs | East Program, United States 

Addressing trichiasis surgical data challenges for dossier validation in the trachoma elimination endgame: experience from Tanzania 

  • Hope Rusibamayila, Ministry of Health, Tanzania 
  • Ambakisye Mhiche, RTI International, Tanzania 
  • Paul Courtright, Sightsavers, United Kingdom 
  •  Jeremiah Ngondi, RTI International, United States 
  • George Kabona, Ministry of Health, Tanzania 

Predictors of persistent and recrudescent trachoma: Findings from a qualitative investigation in Kalambo DC, Mpwapwa DC and Monduli DC in Tanzania 

  • Evangelina Charles Chihoma, RTI International, Tanzania 
  • Mohammed Nyati, Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, Tanzania 
  • George Kabona, Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, Tanzania 
  • Ezekiel Mangi, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania 
  • Veronica Kabona, RTI International, Tanzania 
  • Ambakisye Mhiche, RTI International, Tanzania 
  • Julius Masanika, RTI International, Tanzania 
  • Jeremiah Ngondi, RTI International, United States 
  • Elizabeth Sutherland, RTI International, United States 

Tackling trachoma end game challenges and fast-tracking trachoma elimination: Leveraging the new approaches to scale up SAFE Interventions, an Experience from Tanzania 

  • George Kabona, The National Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program, Tanzania 
  • Jeremiah Ngondi, RTI International, United States 
  • Hope Rusibamayila, The National Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program, Tanzania 
  • Veronica Kabona, RTI International, Tanzania 
  • Ambakisye Mhiche, RTI International, Tanzania 

Experience from Joint Mass Drug Administration for Trachoma targeting migrant populations in Uganda and Kenya 

  • Stephen Begumisa, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Stella Agunyo, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Joyce Achan, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Gilbert Baayenda, Ministry of Health,  Uganda 
  • Edridah Muheki, Ministry of Health, Uganda 
  • Alfred Mubangizi, Ministry of Health, Uganda 
  • Elizabeth Plunkett, RTI International, United States 
  • Danielle Epps, RTI International, United States 
  • Amy Veinoglou, RTI International, United States 
  • Kathryn Crowley, RTI International, United States 
  • Wangeci Thuo, RTI International, United States 
  • Jeremiah M. Ngondi, RTI International, United States 

Using qualitative methods to establish factors contributing to trachoma recrudescence and low mass drug administration (MDA) coverage in Amudat district 

  • Joyce Achan, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Stephen Begumisa, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Gilbert Baayenda, Ministry of Health, Uganda 
  • Stella Agunyo, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Elizabeth Plunkett, RTI International, United States 
  • Elizabeth Sutherland, RTI International, United States 
  • Jeremiah Ngondi, RTI International, United States 
  • S. Elimu, Amudat District Local Government, Uganda 
  • Raphael Opon, Ministry of Health, Uganda 
  • Edwin Mayoki, RTI International, Uganda 
  • Edridah Muheki, Ministry of Health, Uganda 
  • Alfred Mubangizi, Ministry of Health, Uganda 

Thursday, November 3rd

8:00 AM PT

Symposium

 

Room 615/616/617 (6th Floor)

Strengthening Laboratory Capacity and Optimizing the Utilization of Novel Approaches to Accelerate the Elimination of Onchocerciasis in the WHO African Region (AFRO)

Organizers: Achille Kabore, FHI360 and  Upendo Mwingira, RTI International

  • Training needs and laboratory support – What it takes to operationalize OV country labs, Thomas Unnasch, University of South Florida
  • Advances in onchocerciasis diagnostic tools, Kim Won, CDC
  • Determination of gaps and challenges in laboratory strengthening in the African region, Didier Bakajika, WHO ESPEN
  • Strengthening laboratory capacity for onchocerciasis in Cameroon, Joseph Kagnmo, Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases
  • Togo’s experience in field data collection and laboratory strengthening, Yao Kassankogno, Health Development International

8:30 AM PT

Room 605/610 (6th Floor)

Elimination of Onchocerciasis Transmission in Three Foci of Uganda

  • Lauri Bernard, The Carter Center, United States
  • David Oguttu, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Harriet Sengendo, The Carter Center, Uganda
  • Annet Khainza, The Carter Center, Uganda
  • Edson Byamukama, The Carter Center, Uganda
  • Moses Katabarwa, The Carter Center, United States
  • Christine Nahabwe, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Monica Ngabirano, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Paul Akampurira, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Alfred Mubangizi, Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • Thomas Unnasch, University of South Florida, United States
  • Gregory S. Noland, The Carter Center, United States
  • Frank O. Richards, The Carter Center, United States