WHO NTD Director launches toolkit to strengthen partnership between WASH and NTD sectors
A new toolkit to drive successful partnerships between the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and neglected tropical disease (NTD) sectors was officially launched today at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine by Dr Mwele Ntuli Malecela, World Health Organization Director for NTDs.
The toolkit, titled WASH and Health working together: a ‘how to guide’ for NTD programmes, was developed by the World Health Organization and the Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network (NNN) to increase the integration of WASH and NTD programs in order to accelerate progress towards overall NTD and development goals.
Based on real-life program experience, the toolkit provides step-by-step guidance to partnership at all levels, including working with ministries of health, the private sector, local and national WASH agencies, and is adaptable to different needs and local contexts.
Addressing a capacity audience at the John Snow lecture theatre, Dr Malecela shared her enthusiasm for the new resource and thanked the NNN WASH Working Group for their partnership.
"Working in collaboration helps to shape adaptive and flexible program structures focused on accountability and shared goals,” said Leah Wohlgemuth, Chair of the NNN WASH Working Group. "By strengthening partnerships between WASH and NTD stakeholders at all levels, this toolkit will help to build local capacity and strengthen programs for NTD control and elimination".
As well as supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 'Clean water and sanitation', WASH is a critical component for the control and elimination of many NTDs, which in turn contributes to the achievement of SDG3.3 calling for an end to the epidemics of AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria and NTDs.
"Facial cleanliness and environmental improvements are essential to reduce the transmission of trachoma," said Serge Resnikoff, Chair of the International Coalition for Trachoma Control. "Multi-sectoral partnerships ensuring effective implementation and integration of water, sanitation and hygiene works towards sustainable health for all".
Access WASH and Health working together: a ‘how to guide’ for NTD programmes here.