USAID's NTD Program

Neglected Tropical Diseases in Haiti

In all countries supported by USAID’s NTD Program, country ownership of the Program is a core principle and is critical to successful implementation and long-term sustainability.

USAID support for NTD control in Haiti is provided through a cooperative agreement with RTI, with a sub-grant to IMA World Health, working alongside the Haiti government under  the direction of the Haitian Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP).  This support builds on the existing nine years of work by the University of Notre Dame supported in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Jointly the two donors are supporting the government of Haiti to scale up and integrate mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in three of the six Departments (North, Northwest and Artibonite).  This highly successful partnership leverages the technical and financial resources of a wide range of partners, including the CDC, WHO, and the University of Notre Dame.

USAID’s support for integrated NTD control in Haiti began with the launch of a national stakeholders meeting in March 2008. Results of activities carried out with United States Congressional funding in Haiti to date* include:

• Mass Drug Administration
  • First round of treatments was initiated in:
    • October 2008-November 2008 in 26 Communes
• Treatment
  • An estimated 2.5 million treatments have been provided since 2008
  • 1.39 million people were treated in October 2008-November 2008
    
• Mapping
  • National scale NTD mapping in Haiti is complete
• Training
  • 986 people were trained to deliver integrated treatment in 2008

Upcoming Program Activities
The Program will continue to sponsor the above mentioned key activities. In the upcoming year, it is expected that through the Program:

• Treatments will cover a total of 48 Communes with an estimated treatment to 2.5 million persons

*Updated February 2009