Large scale partnerships to support access, funding and distribution of schistosomiasis treatment in Ethiopia and Malawi.
This is a profile of one of 24 social innovations selected for further study and promotion. TDR has spearheaded the Social Innovation in Initiative (SIHI), a collaboration with the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town, and the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University.
PROBLEM
200 million people in Africa are infected with schistosomiasis. Many of these cases are associated with severe morbidity. Long-term organ damage is often irreversible and chronic. Access to medication is often limited for the millions of people who live on less than US$ 2 per day. Additionally, awareness of the consequences of many NTDs is low – people fail to identify symptoms or do not realise treatment is available.
SOLUTION
The Schistosomiasis Control Initiative mapped the distribution of disease across the continent. Using this prevalence data, the organization has advocated an appropriate public health strategy to ministries of health. It also liaises with NTD control officers to determine their needs, orders drugs (often provided freely from pharmaceutical companies), raises funding to facilitate free drug delivery, trains health workers and teachers to deliver the drugs, and provides health education to communities.
ACHIEVEMENT THUS FAR
Since 2013, 110 million treatments have been delivered to approximately 40 million individuals.
For more information, contact Beatrice Halpaap