How do we reach the most vulnerable when they’re out of sight? For millions affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), many live in areas where access to cell phones and therefore vital information is limited. As part of our activities marking World NTD Day (30th January), the club was hosted on VOV Radio 95.7FM to discuss Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).We spoke about what NTDs are, why they matter, and how they can be prevented, while encouraging awareness and early action within our communities.Advocacy starts with conversation and every voice counts.

REACHING A WIDER AUDIENCE: USING THE RADIO MEDIA AS NTDs AWARENESS PLATFORM 

The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Advocacy Club at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana, in partnership with NTDs Action, Learning and Advocacy (NALA), Ethiopia, successfully hosted a global webinar on schistosomiasis elimination, drawing participants from across Africa and beyond. The event, held on February 4, 2026, focused on sharing experiences in snail mapping and control strategies, a critical component in tackling one of the world’s most persistent parasitic diseases.<h3>A Collaborative Effort for Precision Public Health</h3>As countries move closer to eliminating schistosomiasis, transmission has become increasingly localized, requiring more precise interventions. Recognizing this, the webinar brought together leading experts and national program officers from Ghana and Ethiopia to discuss how spatial mapping, environmental surveillance, and data-driven approaches can strengthen control strategies.<h3>Distinguished Speakers</h3>The session featured insights from:<ul><li>Dr. Gideon Kye-Duodu – Researcher, Lecturer, and Epidemiologist, Ghana</li><li>Mr. Edward Tei Hervie – Chief Biomedical Scientist, National Desk Officer for Schistosomiasis and STH, Ghana</li><li>Dr. Alfred Kwesi Manyeh – Epidemiologist, Biostatistician, and Director of the Centre for NTD Research, UHAS, Ghana</li><li>Asrat Meleko – Assistant Professor, Researcher, and Project Manager, NALA, Ethiopia</li><li>Bisrat Molla – Public Health Specialist and Director of Programs, NALA, Ethiopia</li></ul>Together, they shared country-level experiences, highlighting how snail mapping technologies and community-based surveillance systems are being deployed to identify transmission hotspots and guide targeted interventions.<h3>Key Takeaways</h3><ul><li>Localized transmission demands precision: Mapping freshwater snails, the intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis, is essential for identifying high-risk areas.</li><li>Data-driven strategies: Integrating environmental surveillance with national health programs enables smarter resource allocation.</li><li>Cross-country learning: Ghana and Ethiopia’s shared experiences demonstrate the power of collaboration in advancing elimination goals.</li></ul><h3>A Step Toward Elimination</h3>The webinar underscored the importance of global partnerships in accelerating progress against NTDs. By combining scientific expertise, national program leadership, and advocacy, the initiative showcased how Africa is leading innovative approaches to achieve the 2030 NTD elimination targets.The NTDs Advocacy Club and NALA reaffirmed their commitment to amplifying voices, sharing knowledge, and driving equity in public health. This webinar marks another milestone in the collective fight against schistosomiasis, ensuring that no community is left behind.

Global Webinar Highlights Innovative Approaches to Schistosomiasis Elimination

Ghana

Africa

IN EXERCISE of our natural and inalienable right of association,

WITH THE VISION of creating awareness of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and providing education on the preventive and control measures.

WITH A MISSION to come together to combat NTDs through advocacy and contribute to the knowledge and understanding of all people

Neglected Tropical Diseases Advocacy Club

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