Mission Statement:
“To reduce Onchocerciasis to below public health and socio economic importance and also to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in Sierra Leone”
Programme Objectives:
- To ensure Annual Transmission Potential of ONCHO and the effect of Mectizan on the prevalence
- To determine the prevalence and burden of ONCHO disease
- To distribute Mectizan to all endemic communities in Sierra Leone for the treatment of ONCHO
- To sensitize all endemic communities in the country on the disease
- To determine the prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis country wide
Activities:
To achieve the set objectives the programme undertakes several activities among which are the following:
- Conduct mapping of LF Country wide.
- Train Trainers on elimination of FL in 13 districts.
- Fencing of Bo base for treatment of ONCHO.
- Undertake study tour in other countries on technical aspects of the disease.
- Entomological surveillance involving the study of the vector (Black Fly) that carries the baby worm which transmit the disease.
- Epidemiological Evaluation, which entails cutting off part of the skin which is studied under a Microscope to detect evidence of the disease.
- Train Trainers on Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectine (CDTI) in all 12 districts of the country.
- Treatment of special endemic areas including Schools.
- Training of Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) staff in all endemic areas on CDTI.
- Mass sensitization on treatment and diagnosis through meetings, radio messages, Newspaper publications and billboards throughout the country.
