Safely resuming neglected tropical disease control activities during COVID-19: perspectives from Nigeria and Guinea

Summary

This research paper documents themes and perspectives in Nigeria and Guinea on the restarting of NTD control efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interviewees highlighted stress points for NTD programmes when activities are forcibly delayed and the knock-on impact on drug expiration, elimination timelines and fund management. Resumption of delayed activities were assisted by formal risk assessment approaches such as the Risk Assessment Management Action (RAMA) tool.

Programmes need to identify mechanisms for sharing lessons and innovations between countries to advance post-pandemic strengthening of health systems and disease control capacities