She was enthusiastic about the changes in the LF campaign this year, including the provision of snacks with the medicine. “With the sweets we have noticed that there is more motivation to take the tablets,” she said.
Act to End NTDs | East supports and works through the government of Haiti — from the central Ministry of Public Health and Population to district and commune-level entities — to plan, conduct, and evaluate distribution campaigns like the one in 2022. In doing so, it helps to build the long-term capacity of the government to effectively eliminate NTDs like LF. The distribution campaigns source volunteers from local communities as well, with volunteers often participating year-after-year under supervision from the Ministry of Public Health and Population.
As a result, Haiti has continued to make strides in eliminating LF even as it faces worsening political upheaval, gang violence, and environmental disasters. The long-term commitment born of local volunteers and supporters has made this possible. “There is still hope that one day filariasis will be eliminated here,” Carole said.
Toward elimination
Haiti’s goal is to eliminate LF by 2030. By learning from what’s working and what isn’t, and by trying new approaches based in evidence and learning, the USAID Act to End NTDs | East Program is helping the country achieve this goal. Since 2008, USAID has distributed LF medicine to 9 million Haitians — nearly 76% of the population.