- Additional methods of communication are also necessary as most channels are focused on pandemic-related news. Surveys are also recommended to better evaluate whether there is need for additional programs in heavily-affected areas.

Michigan State University

In order to restart public health interventions that require community involvement, preventive measures, which include social distancing, safe hygiene practice and face masks, are needed. Compliance of Covid-19 health regulations will modify NTD program delivery. For example, health personnel or volunteers may need to go directly to patients’ homes rather than setting up fixed-point distribution sites. When this option is not available, fixed-point distribution will need to be adapted to limit the number of people gathering in one place. Additionally, new protocols will need to be put in place to ensure patients can receive services such as morbidity management or surgical activities. 

Covid-19 Regulatory Compliance

Chaumont, C., Kamara, K., Baring, E., Palacio, K., Power, A., & Lancaster, W. (2020). The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(9), e0008680. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008680

The SARS-CoV-2 crisis and its impact on neglected tropical diseases: Threat or opportunity?

- An alternate approach to the delivery of NTD treatment includes embracing a previous approach used for the control of onchocerciasis, Community Directed Approach with Ivermectin (CDAI), in which the community distributed treatment over a prolonged period of time, as this would better comply with COVID restrictions; however, cost and community acceptance would need to be evaluated first. 
- Integrating NTD’s into primary healthcare is another option worth considering.
- Combining treatment delivery with food distribution efforts could also be a viable treatment option as the pandemic could lead to economic crisis for those populations affected most by NTD’s. Another benefit for this method includes taking the medicine with the food being distributed could ease the side effects of the drug being distributed.

Alternate Methods of NTD Service Delivery to Comply with COVID-19 Restrictions

One way the NTD sector plans on adapting to the ongoing pandemic is by improving their current strategies. This would include:
- Extending treatment and focusing on areas where transmission of NTD’s is high. 
- More focus and investment in preventative chemotherapy. 
- NTD sectors are also looking at other delivery platforms such as those for polio, malaria, etc for strategies to strengthen their own programs.

Using COVID-19-Related Delays to Improve NTD Sectors

- Drug administrators must also be well-versed on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 to ensure they are not misread as adverse side effects of the drug administered.

Learn Before

Related