The World Health Organization (WHO) solicits proposals for nominations to serve in its Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on the control of NTDs (STAG)’s Working Group on zoonotic neglected tropical diseases (zNTD).
Nominations for membership are welcome from all regions of the world without strict deadline as this will help build a standing pool of potential nominees.
STAG is the principal advisory group to WHO for the control of NTDs and reports directly to the Director-General of WHO. It has the mandate of advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies and monitor implementation. Its remit is to facilitate and monitor the coverage of interventions for the control of NTDs.
A recommendation of the STAG was that the Department of Control of NTDs establishes a Working Group on the prevention and control of the zNTDs that considers the human-animal-ecosystems interface. The current focus the scope of the zNTDs are rabies, T. solium cycticercosis, echinococcosis and foodborne trematodes.
The Working Group on zNTD has a flexible organisational structure established by and reporting to the STAG and administered by WHO, providing participants with the opportunity to discuss and formulate proposals and recommendations on technical matters supporting implementation of country strategies according to the NTD roadmap.
All members must be acknowledged experts with an outstanding record of achievement and network in their own field, and have an understanding of the issues covered by STAG in general and of the zNTDs in particular. Members of the Working Group should be willing to take over personal responsibility to achieve set results in their respective area/subprojects, including the generation of funding where applicable. These responsibilities are described in the terms of reference for the Working Group on zNTD.
Proposals for nomination to the Working Group on zNTD may be submitted along with a letter of support and curriculum vitae, preferably by e-mail to abelab@who.int, cc: aimel@who.int