For Immediate Release                               Media Contacts:
April 18, 2008                                             Beth Weinstein 212-490-6460 x34, Mona Finston: 212-274-6117

Niger Mid-term Review on Blinding Trachoma Reveals Significant Progress Toward Elimination of the Disease by 2015

International Trachoma Initiative, Niger Ministry of Health, and WHO Call for Intensified Advocacy and Fundraising Efforts to Support Trachoma and NTD Control Programs

(April 18, 2008, Niamey, Niger) – The International Trachoma Initiative (ITI), in collaboration with the Niger Ministry of Health (MOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other trachoma control partners, today unveiled findings from the 2007 Niger Trachoma Control Mid-Term Review (MTR).  Presented at a daylong workshop for top government officials, Members of Parliament, implementing partners, NGOs, donors and the media, the MTR provides a key opportunity to assess the achievements and challenges of Niger’s trachoma control program.

The MTR covers the two-year period from 2005, when the Five-Year Trachoma Control Strategic Plan, was launched, to 2007.  MTR objectives include: assessment of progress towards achieving the strategic plan targets, adequacy of current work plans and methods, and the constraints and barriers anticipated moving forward.  The MTR also solicits stakeholders’ ideas on expediting progress to reach the goal of trachoma elimination by 2015.

Key findings from the report authored by Dr. Sani Zagui and covering the Maradi, Zinder and Diffa regions, include:

Achievements

Challenges

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“After nearly three years of implementing the trachoma program using the WHO’s approved SAFE strategy, we’ve seen significant achievements toward elimination. Through today’s workshop, we hope to technically and financially engage all participants in finding concrete solutions to the challenges we face moving forward,” stated Samna Mohamed, ITI Niger Country Representative.   

In May 2004, ITI and other trachoma control partners assisted the MOH in creating the Five Year Trachoma Strategic Plan. Today, the Niger WHO representative, Dr. Khadidiatou, stressed the importance of strengthening advocacy and fundraising efforts for the program in order to achieve success.  ITI and the WHO also called for revisions of the five-year plan that incorporate the MTR recommendations. 

His Excellency, Mr. Issa Lamine, the Minister of Health, opened today’s event, which included presentations by Dr. Amza Abdou, National Coordinator for the Blindness Control Program and
Dr. Kadri Boubakar, PNLCC Assistant Coordinator. Invitees included the Minister of Education, the Minister of Water, the Niger UNICEF Representative, Ministry of Health officials, national and international agencies/organizations and other trachoma control partners, including World Vision, the Carter Center, WAWI (West Africa Water Initiative), and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

The International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) is a non-governmental organization working to prevent, treat and ultimately eliminate blinding trachoma. Building on success in Morocco, ITI currently works in 15 countries in Africa and Asia.  ITI is a major proponent and facilitator of the SAFE strategy to prevent and eliminate trachoma through Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement. ITI, created through a public-private partnership of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and Pfizer Inc, collaborates with international agencies, governmental, and non-governmental organizations to build targeted support—including Zithromax® donated by Pfizer—for expanded implementation of the SAFE strategy, operational research and program evaluation, education and advocacy. http://www.trachoma.org