Global Webinar Highlights Innovative Approaches to Schistosomiasis Elimination

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.

A Collaborative Effort for Precision Public Health

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.

Distinguished Speakers

The session featured insights from:

• Dr. Gideon Kye-Duodu – Researcher, Lecturer, and Epidemiologist, Ghana

• Mr. Edward Tei Hervie – Chief Biomedical Scientist, National Desk Officer for Schistosomiasis and STH, Ghana

• Dr. Alfred Kwesi Manyeh – Epidemiologist, Biostatistician, and Director of the Centre for NTD Research, UHAS, Ghana

• Asrat Meleko – Assistant Professor, Researcher, and Project Manager, NALA, Ethiopia

• Bisrat Molla – Public Health Specialist and Director of Programs, NALA, Ethiopia

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.

Key Takeaways

• Localized transmission demands precision: Mapping freshwater snails, the intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis, is essential for identifying high-risk areas.

• Data-driven strategies: Integrating environmental surveillance with national health programs enables smarter resource allocation.

• Cross-country learning: Ghana and Ethiopia’s shared experiences demonstrate the power of collaboration in advancing elimination goals.

A Step Toward Elimination

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.