Neglected Tropical Diseases
More than one billion people worldwide are affected by one or more neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These diseases disproportionately impact poor and rural populations who lack access to safe water, sanitation, and essential medicines. They cause sickness and disability, compromise maternal health and fetal growth, inhibit children's mental and physical development, and can result in blindness and severe disfigurement.
Integrated Preventive Chemotherapy for NTD Control
RTI is a global leader in integrated preventive chemotherapy (PCT) for NTD control. Since 2006, RTI has worked with US Agency for International Development (USAID) support in partnership with NTD endemic countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia to integrate and expand their national NTD control programs for lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and trachoma. We have expertise in integrated NTD control program management and implementation, integrated strategic planning and costing, disease mapping, surveillance, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). In addition, we contribute to the global policy dialogue on integrated NTD control, participating in multiple World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory and Working Groups on NTDs.
International Training Course for NTD Program Managers
We have worked with WHO to develop a comprehensive course on integrated NTD control for program managers from NTD endemic countries. The first of its kind, this course features critical components of integrated NTD strategies, including implementation techniques, program management principles, drug and severe adverse event management, M&E, planning and costing analysis, and advocacy strategies to garner long-term support.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Integrated PCT for NTD Control
We have contributed to the design and establishment of international M&E standards and guidelines for the seven NTDs that PCT addresses. Having developed tools to monitor and track integrated mass drug administration (MDA) coverage and progress towards elimination, we are working in close collaboration with WHO and USAID to develop an M&E Framework with a compendium of indicators, which will assist in harmonizing data management practices across country programs and NTD partners.
Tool for Integrated Planning and Costing (TIPAC)
The Tool for Integrated Planning and Costing (TIPAC) was developed by RTI as a key component of the NTD Rollout Package adopted and promoted by WHO and USAID to help countries develop an integrated program for NTDs. It can be used in conjunction with existing national NTD strategic plans and budgets in order to plan and coordinate future program resources effectively.
NTD Projects
RTI is the prime contractor for USAID's NTD Control Program (2006-2012), the first global effort to integrate and scale up delivery of PCT for LF, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma and soil-transmitted helminths. Since its start, the NTD Control Program has supported national NTD control programs in 10 countries to provide more than 532.1 million treatments to 232.9 million people — more than four times the initial life-of-project goal.
We are also the prime contractor for USAID's Envision project (2011-2016), which builds on the global achievements in integrated NTD work by focusing on five main areas: (1) implementation support for integrated PCT in NTD endemic countries; (2) technical assistance for NTD control activities; (3) capacity development for integrated NTD control at the global, regional, and country level; (4) technical leadership for global policy development; and (5) improved systems and practices for the management and monitoring of NTD program data critical for evidence-based decision making.
More Information
- Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program (brochure)
- The Next Frontier in NTD Control (2012 RTI Policy Forum Series)
- A Success: USAID's Neglected Tropical Disease Program (USAID blog)
The Next Frontier in NTD Control: Implementing the Roadmap from the London Declaration’s 2020 Goals
Event materials on international efforts to control neglected tropical diseases are now available from RTI International's April 11 policy forum held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.