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Rainima-Qaniuci M, Lepaitai HB, Bhagirov R, Padmasiri E, Naseri T, Thomsen R, Won KY, Brant TA, Dodd E, Nua MT, Utu F, Tufa A, Chutaro E, Camacho J, Suiaunoa-Scanlan L, Thean LJ, Mani J, Hardy M, Samuela J, Romani L, Kaldor J, Steer AC, Faktaufon D, Bechu V, Naqio F, Sosene V, Sekihara M, Otaki J, Buhagiar TS, Yajima A. The Importance of Partnership in the Rollout of Triple-Drug Therapy to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in the Pacific. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:39-47. [PMID: 35292579 PMCID: PMC9154648 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We discuss the experience of some Pacific island countries in introducing the new WHO-recommended treatment protocol for lymphatic filariasis-a triple-drug therapy composed of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole. The successful rollout of the new treatment protocol was dependent on strong partnerships among these countries' ministries of health, WHO, and other stakeholders. Effective communication among these partners allowed for lessons learned to cross borders and have a positive impact on the experiences of other countries. We also describe various challenges confronted during this process and the ways these countries overcame them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kimberly Y. Won
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tara A. Brant
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Emily Dodd
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Fara Utu
- American Samoa Department of Health, Pago Pago, American Samoa
| | - Aifili Tufa
- American Samoa Department of Health, Pago Pago, American Samoa
| | - Emi Chutaro
- Pacific Island Health Officers’ Association, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Janet Camacho
- Pacific Island Health Officers’ Association, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | | | - Li Jun Thean
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jyotishna Mani
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Myra Hardy
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Josaia Samuela
- Samoa Ministry of Health, Apia, Samoa;,Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lucia Romani
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia;,Kirby Institute in the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- Kirby Institute in the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Vinaisi Bechu
- Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
| | | | | | | | - Junko Otaki
- Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamara S. Buhagiar
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine at James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | - Aya Yajima
- World Health Organization, Manila, Philippines;,Address correspondence to Aya Yajima, World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office, United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila, Philippines. E-mail:
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