The MUG’s scientist in the expert group of the WHO

13.10.2020

PhD Maciej Grzybek

PhD Maciej Grzybek from the Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine joined the expert group of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Neglected Tropical Diseases; NDTs for term of 3 years. He is the only Pole in this international group.

The WHO Working Group on Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (WGMER) has 24 members from all over the world. The main task of the Group is developing guidelines for the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on neglected tropical diseases on global policies and strategies. Group members analyze actions taken by WHO, set action priorities and advise on mobilizing technical resources.

The aim of the group is to work on the project Working towards eliminating the remediable obstacles which currently prevent populations accessing the NTD interventions and other health and social outcomes described in the WHO NTD Roadmap 2021-2030. The WHO plan for the coming years sets global goals and milestones necessary to control and eradicate 20 disease entities from the group of NTDs. It also sets objectives in line with WHO’s 13th overall program with strategies for the next decade. The new NTDs elimination action plan has been prepared through global consultations. The process included regional workshops with national tropical neglected program managers, meetings with stakeholders and interviews with NTDs experts. The document reflects the perspectives of the member states and many stakeholders.

The role of the group is to facilitate the alignment of stakeholders in strategies and practices for establishing effective systems for monitoring and evaluating an NTD elimination program. The group will work to oversee and maintain consensus on a consistent monitoring and evaluation strategy to combat NTDs that must align with organizational and global public health priorities.

photo by Paweł Paszko