Twelfth report of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTDs)

Overview

The twelfth meeting  of the Strategic and Technical  Advisory  Group  for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD)  was  held  at  WHO  headquarters  in  Geneva,  Switzerland,   on  29–30 April  2019.

The meeting began as an open session, with STAG members, representatives of WHO regional offices and partners.

Dr Mwelecele N tuli Malecela, Director WHO/NTD, opened the meeting and invited Mr Ashok Moloo, Information Officer, to describe the role of STAG-NTD. He said that it provided guidance to the NTD programme, which in turn reported on progress made globally , regionally and in countries in strategic and technical areas. At the current meeting, a report would also be made on the effects of WHO transformation on the programme and the role of STAG in the new WHO vision. The meeting would discuss the new NTD Roadmap for 2021–2030 and a request to the Secretariat to add a new NTD, fungal keratitis.

Dr Ren Minghui, WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases, emphasized the importance of long-term commitment to the control of NTDs and associated care of patients, as part ofUHC. He introduced the new Director of the NTD programme, who explained that the new Roadmap was being prepared in the context of WHO transformation and the 13th WHO Ge neral P rogramme of Work 2019–2023 (GP W13). The first phase of an online consultation had begun, and comments had been received from a diverse range of respondents.

STAG members were introduced by video, and the partners introduced themselves.

Dr Ren proposed that P rofessor David Mabey, London School of Hygiene & Tr opic a l Medicine, be elected as C ha ir, and Dr Mabey proposed that Dr Margaret Gyapong be elected Rapporteur. Both proposals were seconded.