Togo
Country Overview
Togo, in western Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world; 35% of its population lives on less than $1 per day, and the majority of its citizens have limited access to clean water and sanitation. As a result disease is widespread in Togo; the country is endemic with malaria and all seven of the most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). More than five million people – a remarkable 80% of the population – are at risk for at least three NTDs.
Current Effort
The Togolese government is dedicated to combating NTDs and has promoted NTD control through several nationwide treatment projects. Control efforts are conducted primarily in collaboration with Health & Development International and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with whom Togo’s government has a strong partnership. Thus, despite the general lack of foreign aid since 1992, the country has already made significant strides in NTD control.
Togo has completely eliminated guinea worm and has interrupted the transmission of LF, eliminating it as a public health burden. Moreover, all surgeons have been trained in hydrocele surgery following the WHO-recommended techniques, and all health staff is trained in the management of lymphedema (another consequence of LF). Ivermectin treatment for onchocerciasis control began in the mid -1990s through the Onchocerciasis Control Program and is now at 100% geographic coverage.
Togo has been a leader in promoting cross-sectoral approaches to global health. It was the first country to convince the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria to link malaria control activities with LF interventions in endemic districts. The LF program has been funded by the Global Fund with a five year grant to treat for LF until 2010. Togo has also linked malaria and other NTD control activities, with very positive feedback from local health workers. Since 2004, the government and its partners have been pursuing the national-scale integration of disease-specific initiatives in order to increase program efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The development of integrated programs is facilitated by the foundation of available resources and funded.
Remaining Gap
Nevertheless, funding gaps remain, particularly in treating soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), schistosomiasis, and trachoma. An investment of $2.5 million over three years will facilitate the integration and scaling up of treatment for the most common NTDs to achieve nationwide coverage at a cost of less than $0.17 per person per year. Funding will also enable Togo to refine disease prevalence mapping and develop enhanced training, supervision, reporting, and education capabilities. To support NTD control efforts in Togo, please click here.
