Merger of two NGOs will enable expansion of action against infectious diseases of poverty

19 Mar 2009

Paul Chinnock

Source: International Trachoma Initiative (Press release)

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Two important non-government organizations that seek to eliminate neglected infectious diseases afflicting the world’s poorest people are to merge. The International Trachoma Initiative and the Task Force for Child Survival say that, by joining forces, they will be able to: “leverage additional resources and significantly scale up efforts to eliminate blinding trachoma”. There will also be benefits for the Task Force’s programmes on other neglected diseases, including onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and intestinal worms.

Trachoma is the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness. It affects 41 million people, mostly women and children, in 56 countries. Trachoma can be prevented and cured with inexpensive treatment, provided this is given in time. However, an estimated 6.8 million people have already lost some or all of their sight to this infectious disease, and an additional 8.2 million people with trichiasis (in-turning of the eyelashes) are at immediate risk of irreversible blindness. The disease is the specific focus of the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) which currently works in 18 countries in Africa and Asia. ITI is a major proponent and facilitator of the SAFE strategy to prevent and eliminate trachoma through surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement.

The Task Force for Child Survival and Development is a non-profit, public health organization recognized for its expertise and experience in cultivating partnerships with organizations, experts, and communities. Last year it coordinated the distribution of 150 million doses of medicine to treat diseases such as river blindness (onchocerciasis), elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), and intestinal worms in children.

The Task Force currently houses programmes that address three neglected infections, the prevention and treatment of which could be linked to control of trachoma:

The Mectizan Donation Program which provides medical, technical and administrative oversight of the donation of ivermectin (Mectizan) by Merck & Co for the treatment of onchocerciasis, and the donation of albendazole by GlaxoSmithKline, to be co-administered with ivermectin for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in areas co-endemic for onchocerciasis.
The Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center which provides the technical assistance and problem-solving research necessary to ensure a strong scientific base for the massive global public health effort currently underway to eliminate LF.
“Children Without Worms,” a new partnership between the Task Force and Johnson & Johnson which seeks to increase access to mebendazole for the treatment of intestinal worms.

“All of us at ITI are excited by the enormous potential that this merger brings to eliminating blinding trachoma,” said Ibrahim Jabr, President of ITI. “We realized in 2006 that to increase the impact of global trachoma control efforts, ITI would need a complementary partner to help in a scaled up effort to meet the World Health Organization goal of elimination by 2020. After a year-long search, we are confident that the Task Force is that partner. ’’

Mark Rosenberg, Executive Director of The Task Force said, “The mission and goals of ITI are a strong complement to the Task Force mission”.

The two organizations say they will work to:

Scale up efforts to address trachoma beyond the 18 countries where ITI support is being provided to the additional 38 countries where trachoma is endemic.
Leverage resources and expertise, creating new partnerships to fight trachoma and other NTDs.
Build on ITI’s success in promoting the SAFE strategy, ensuring that implementation of the different elements of the strategy are coordinated, complementary and supportive.