[post_published]
Photo Credit: WHO
On May 5, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) published “Community-based health care, including outreach and campaigns, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic,” which includes updated guidance for neglected tropical diseases (NTD) programs, as well as other public health intervention programs.
This updated WHO Guidance is intended to replace the interim guidance disseminated on April 2, 2020 and it contains specific considerations for national NTD programs, including which NTD activities should be temporarily suspended, those activities that may continue with strict precaution, and considerations for resuming activities in the context of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Neglected Tropical Diseases Program is working closely with partners to monitor and track issues related to the temporary suspension of field activities in our supported countries. That said, many activities that do not require community-based approaches will continue to take place. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we will continue to work with the global NTD community to develop robust and context-specific strategies for resuming program activities when it is safe to do so.
To learn more about the Agency-wide response to COVID-19 visit: www.usaid.gov/coronavirus