Fourth WHO Meeting of the Non-Endemic Countries Initiative on the Control of Chagas disease

Artwork: "Mala Sangre" (Bad blood) , Néstor Favre-Mossier, donated to WHO

In the new framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (the health goal), with target 3.3 aiming at ending the epidemics of neglected tropical diseases by 2030 and target 3.8 aiming at achieving universal health coverage;

With a first ever corresponding UN/SDG indicator (3.3.5) entitled “Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical diseases” aiming at monitoring the advances in the control/elimination of NTD annually;

Following the:

• ​scientific advances in the knowledge of Chagas disease, its prevention, management and control; and
• new information and surveillance systems, information, education and communication tools and biomedical instruments,

The Programme on control of Chagas disease is pleased to invite you to participate in the Fourth WHO Meeting of the Non-Endemic Countries Initiative on the Control of Chagas disease.

The WHO global strategy to control/eliminate Chagas disease comprises four components:

1. interrupting transmission (acquired through vectorial, oral, transfusional, organ transplantation and congenital routes);
2. providing healthcare to those affected by the disease (using antiparasitic and non-antiparasitic treatments, such as cardiac, digestive, neurological and psychological therapies, as well as counselling); 
3. sharing good quality information to guide interventions and to give evidence of achievements, using a global information and surveillance system (including mapping); and
4. promoting information, education and communication to control Chagas disease for key actors and affected population.

Therefore, the objectives of the meeting are:

1. to update country profiles and mapping of the global distribution of Chagas disease (2013−2017 period);
2. to review information on which control measures have been implemented and how  they have been implemented (2013−2017 period);
3. to assess progress towards the interruption of transmission, with a focus on blood transfusion;
4. to agree on objectives and goals for control/elimination in 2019–2023; and
5. to develop a roadmap for achieving the 2019–2023 objectives and goals.