This post was written by Sightsavers’ staff Moses Okipi, Edith Kagoya, Chris Iga and Tracy Vaughan Gough.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over one billion of the world’s poorest people. Sightsavers, with additional funding from the UK government, is helping to eliminate two significant NTDs: onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis. Both are debilitating diseases caused by parasite infections.
Onchocerciasis is transmitted via the bite of a black fly and infection leads to severe skin disease with unrelenting itching and can lead to visual impairment and blindness. Lymphatic filariasis is transmitted via the bite of a mosquito and affects up to 120 million people. Long term infection with lymphatic filariasis can cause painful disability which can profoundly affect the lives of individuals, reducing their independence, productivity and mobility. The disfigurement and associated stigma and discrimination from infection can have a devastating impact on the affected, their families and their communities.
Sightsavers is committed to ensuring all our health programmes reach the most marginalised people. In Uganda, the team decided to find out how inclusive our NTD projects are already, and to identify key gender and disability issues that might need to be addressed in order to ‘leave no one behind’ (the commitment made by the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030).
In collaboration with the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda, Sightsavers conducted consultations in Masindi District, Western Uganda. While the flies that transmit the disease have been eradicated in Masindi, many people in the area still have the parasites in their bodies. As a result the mass drug administration (MDA) has now been extended from 15 to 20 years. So, the assessment also sought to understand some of the barriers to achieving full MDA in relation to the inclusion and equitable participation of people with disabilities, women and marginalised groups.
For some of the people we spoke to in the villages of Nyabigoma and Nyakyanika, ivermectin, the treatment administered by Sightsavers’ partners to eliminate onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, is seen as a wonder drug. [1]
But while there are perceived benefits that could be an added advantage in encouraging MDA participation, it is not the primary purpose and made clear to us that there were information gaps, which could be addressed through targeted quality health education in those locations. Some men and women (with and without disabilities) cited the drug, which the entire community takes twice a year, as responsible for aiding smooth childbirth, increasing stamina and being a cure-all for many sicknesses.
People we spoke to also noted that the locally recruited Community Directed Distributors (CDDs) were predominantly men. There were very few women; none were disabled and young people were also not represented. This is significant, because if we want to make sure that we access hard to reach groups like young men, we need to make sure they are also recruited as CDDs so they reach out to their peers, or that CDDs are aware that special efforts may be required to ensure those individuals are included.
The consultation was valuable as it highlighted the importance of ensuring that projects are designed with meaningful participation by all stakeholders. It is too easy to make assumptions if we do not really understand the realities of a particular community. Holding group discussions and taking time to talk to key individuals is a critical part of ensuring we deliver projects that really meet the project’s objectives and to supporting more inclusive project implementation that does not directly or indirectly exclude.
We have discussed the findings with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and are we are drafting an inclusion strategy. This will address some of these issues and hopefully make inclusion part and parcel of future programming.
This exercise is just one example of Sightsavers’ efforts to ensure that NTD programming is reaching all groups of people, starting with our new UK Aid Match programme on onchocerciasis/lymphatic filariasis elimination, which covers four countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Uganda, Nigeria, DRC and Guinea Bissau.
[1]An important part of our social inclusion strategic framework is to ensure that all our projects are inclusive of people with disabilities and gender-responsive. We decided to prioritise inclusive health, because these are our largest programmes and reach the most people and are where, we felt, we could make the most difference.
erotik
Just beneath, are various completely not associated sites to ours, having said that, they may be surely worth going over. Jobina Leonerd Hurff
bahis
Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed information you provide. Selle Skye Schaeffer
bahis
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the site is also really good. Merline Orson Darach
erotik
Everyone loves it when individuals get together and share thoughts. Great blog, keep it up. Minni Barnabe Haymes
erotik
You are my intake , I possess few blogs and infrequently run out from to brand. Nata Roarke Guyon
erotik
If you wish for to improve your experience simply keep visiting this site and be updated with the most recent information posted here. Caprice Wood Montfort
erotik
This is a unquestionably interesting post. You are doing seep with writing. Zita Sayers Cassell
bahis
There is definately a great deal to learn about this issue. I like all the points you made. Camille Hendrick Alyss
bahis
I feel that is one of the such a lot vital information for me. Sheila Jefferson Thirion
sikis
Hey, thanks for the blog. Really looking forward to read more. Really Great. Benny Fredrick Hayden
bahis
Some truly nice and useful information on this website, too I think the design has fantastic features. Billy Francis Krahling
yify
You need to be a part of a contest for oone of thee most useful sites on the net. Jere Merle Vladamir
web-dl
Excellent article. I definitely appreciate this site. Min Brigg Jamilla
bluray
You should take part in a contest for one of the greatest sites online. Nannette Windham Gula
torrent
It is not my first time to go to see this website, i am visiting this website dailly and get good data from here everyday. Josephine Jess Thayne
yify
I believe this is one of the most significant information for me. Maryann Gayle Lempres
download
There is certainly a great deal to learn about this subject. I really like all of the points you have made. Fidelia Lucais Aklog
ucretsiz
Some genuinely choice blog posts on this internet site , saved to favorites . Alli Tye Shererd
ucretsiz
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the website is also really good. Lacey Rafi Larner
download
I think this is a real great article. Really Great. Benita Crosby Ronald
Emil
Thanks very interesting blog!
My web page … Edison
Rosalyn
Just desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is simply excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep
updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the
enjoyable work.
Visit my web site Sadye
Tahlia
all the time i used to read smaller articles that also clear their motive,
and that is also happening with this post which I am reading here.
Visit my web site: https://milkyway.cs.rpi.edu/milkyway/show_user.php?userid=2200388
Aleisha
I am genuinely pleased to glance at this website
posts which includes plenty of helpful data, thanks for
providing these data.
My site https://zippyshare.com/toadeye2
Roberta
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your
articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything.
But imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to
give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this website could certainly be one
of the best in its field. Amazing blog!
Also visit my website https://adcardz.com/moneytraffic/