How has the Ascend programme contributed to strengthening health systems for sustainable, country-driven neglected tropical disease programming?

Summary

This commentary addresses the programmatic activities that the Ascend programme supported as contributions to health systems strengthening. The activities ranged from a series of assessments, to coordination with other partners to avoid duplication, to supporting the development of the updated WHO NTD (neglected tropical disease) master plan template, and support to national programmes to complete the new NTD master plan.

This article is part of a special supplement in International Health focusing on the Ascend neglected tropical disease programme in West and Central Africa. You can access the other articles in the supplement on the International Health website.