Building supply chain capacity for neglected tropical diseases: experience from the Ascend West and Central Africa programme

Abstract The Ascend West and Central Africa programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is supporting integrated preventative chemotherapy for up to five neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including intestinal worms, lymphatic filariasis, river blindness, trachoma schistosomiasis. programme implemented across 13 countries a consortium of four leading international development partners: Sightsavers, Liverpool School Tropical Medicine, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation Mott Macdonald. This paper presents messages learnt from country assessments that took place prior global outbreak coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These remain relevant post-COVID-19, with greater priority being given challenges national NTD programmes in continuing deliver mass drug administration (MDA) during pandemic. Stakeholder coordination earliest stages pandemic has occurred at two levels: first mile partners Supply Chain Forum last implementing each country. been instrumental manage delayed MDA, impact delays have on shipment donated drugs distribution stock held resumption MDA through risk assessment mitigation action (RAMA) process.