The World Health Organization now recommends that Ministries of Health establish independent, expert advisory committees to help with reaching the goal of onchocerciasis transmission elimination. At the invitation of Uganda, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, Carterhas provided technical and financial assistance to help establish national onchocerciasis expert advisory committees in 2008, 2014, and 2015, respectively. Each committee meets at least annually and are the first of their kind for onchocerciasis in sub-Saharan Africa.
Made up of national and international onchocerciasis experts, and leaders at national, regional, or district levels, the committees make recommendations to the Federal Ministry of Health based on the World Health Organization’s criteria for verification of river blindness elimination, but with strategies tailored to address unique national circumstances.
View the guidelines and terms of reference for Carter-Center assisted committees below. Documents are posted with permission from each respective country’s Ministry of Health.
July 2015
Guidelines for the Certification of Onchocerciasis Elimination in Ethiopia (PDF)
This document was developed by the Ethiopia Federal Ministry of Health in partnership with all organizations that have been involved in the control of onchocerciasis in Ethiopia.
October 2014
Ethiopia Onchocerciasis Elimination Expert Advisory Committee Terms of Reference and Procedures of Operation (PDF)
February 2017
Nigeria Onchocerciasis Elimination Plan
Revised Nigeria Ministry of Health document outlining its overall river blindness elimination plan.
May 2015
Nigeria National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee Terms of Reference and Membership (PDF)
Note: The Nigeria National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee met for the first time in 2015 and is in the process of finalizing their official guidelines.
July 2011
Guidelines for Certification of Onchocerciasis Elimination in Uganda (PDF)
This Uganda Ministry of Health document was developed in partnership with all stakeholders involved in the control and elimination of onchocerciasis in Uganda.
July 2009
Uganda Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee Terms of Reference and Procedures of Operation (PDF)
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The Eye of the Eagle primarily provides news and technical information about blindness prevention activities assisted by the Center's River Blindness Program and Trachoma Control Program. The Eye of the Eagle is published bi-annually in both French and English. Learn more »
