Global health Initiatives as a ‘Drunken Boat’: The Meningitis Vaccines Project Case Study

Based on an analysis of the Meningitis Vaccine Project (MVP), a public-private partnership (PPP) set up to introduce the MenAfriVac® vaccine in African countries, this article examines the failures of an accelerated disease control programme that targeted a highly infectious disease. I argue that the integration of MenAfriVac® into the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Expanded Programme on Immunisation had the effect of reinforcing inequalities in access, in particular during epidemic emergencies. I will also show how vaccine shortages during an outbreak in Niger led to political tensions and to the emergence of a parallel and unregulated ‘black market’ of vaccines.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAMME IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

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How Can Operational Research Help to Eliminate Tuberculosis in the Asia Pacific Region?

Broad multi-sectoral action is required to end the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 and this includes National TB Programmes (NTPs) fully delivering on quality-assured diagnostic, treatment and preventive services. Large implementation gaps currently exist in the delivery of these services, which can be addressed and closed through the discipline of operational research. This paper outlines the TB disease burden and disease-control programme implementation gaps in the Asia-Pacific region; discusses the key priority areas in diagnosis, treatment and prevention where operational research can be used to make a difference; and finally provides guidance about how best to embed operational research within a TB programme setting. Achieving internationally agreed milestones and targets for case finding and treatment requires the NTP to be streamlined and efficient in the delivery of its services, and operational research provides the necessary evidence-based knowledge and support to allow this to happen.

The Organization, Implementation, and Functioning of Dengue Surveillance in India—A Systematic Scoping Review

Dengue´s re-emerging epidemiology poses a major global health threat. In India, dengue contributes significantly to the global communicable disease burden, and has been declared highly endemic. This study aims to identify and critically appraise India’s dengue surveillance system. We conducted a systematic literature review, searching Medline, Web of Sciences, Global Health, and Indian Journals. We conducted a narrative synthesis and thematic analysis. Eighteen studies fulfilled eligibility. Organizationally, most studies referred to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, primarily responsible for overall vector and disease control, as well as the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, responsible for reporting, outbreak identification, and integration. Surveillance implementation was mostly framed as passive, sentinel, and hospital-based. Reporting varies from weekly to monthly, flowing from primary healthcare centres to district and national authorities. Dengue confirmation is only recognized if conducted with government-distributed MAC-ELISA tests. The surveillance system predominantly relies on public reporting units. In terms of functioning, current surveillance seems to have improved dengue reporting as well the system’s detection capacities. Emergency and outbreak responses are often described as timely; however, they are challenged by underreporting, weak data reliability, lack of private reporting, and system fragmentation. Concluding, India’s dengue surveillance structure remains weak. Efforts to create an infrastructure of communication, cooperation, and integration are evident, however, not achieved yet.

Assessment of national vector borne disease control programme in state of Karnataka

ABSTRACTBackground:National vector borne disease control programme(NVBDCP) was launched to control the prevalence of vector borne diseases like malaria, filaria, Japanese encephalitis (JE), Dengue/DHF, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis and Kala Azar. The present study was done to assess the activities of NVBDCP in state of Karnatakaand to analyze selective qualitative and quantitative indicators related to the activities.Methods:Quantitatively retrospective data was collected from Directorate office Department of Health and Family Welfare, NVBDCP section from April 2016 to March 2017. Qualitatively questionnaire based protocol was made and interviews were conducted with District programme officer, PHC medical officer and grass root level health workers like ANM, ASHA with reference to one each of selected least performing districts and good performing districts in the state. The collected data was analysed by using Microsoft Excel 2010 version.Results:The highest prevalent districts in Karnataka areDakshina Kannada for malaria, Udupi for dengue, Tumakurufor chikungunya andBidar for lymphatic filariasis. Major factors related to poor outcome in some districts were rigid attitude of the community, poor support of local panchayats and less human resources.Conclusion:The result of this investigation revealed that Dakshina Kannada has got highest number of cases with greater proposition and high prevalence rate of vector borne diseases due to lack of sufficient human resources and geographical factors. Strengthening the surveillance activities along with integrated vector control programmes will improves the outcome of the programme.