The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a critical new guide to empower national programme managers and health teams in their efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) as public health problems.
Aligned with the 2021–2030 Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and the WHO guidelines, the framework Assessing schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases control programmes: monitoring and evaluation provides detailed, clear and adaptable guidance to support the implementation and refinement of disease control programmes globally.
"This new guide represents a major step forward," said Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, Director, WHO Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme. "It gives programme managers the tools they need to accurately track progress, make data-driven decisions as the epidemiology of these diseases evolves, and ensure resources are used where they're needed most."
Targeting a diverse range of stakeholders – including national and regional health staff, WHO country office focal points, and implementation partners – the guide emphasizes the importance of coordinated, evidence-based decision-making in achieving the elimination of schistosomiasis and STH as public health problems. It highlights how consistent monitoring can help assess the success of programme objectives.
The manual is designed to ensure decision-makers – from national health ministries to local teams – can assess progress, adapt interventions, adjust medicine needs and allocate resources efficiently as disease patterns shift. It complements WHO's wider guidance on monitoring and evaluation for NTDs.
"The guide offers countries practical solutions to address the changing nature of schistosomiasis and STH control," said Dr Amadou Garba-Djirmay, Scientist, WHO Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme. "Its flexibility allows programmes to adapt interventions in response to local needs, keeping us firmly on the path to elimination."
Countries that follow the new recommendations will be able to refine their strategies and allocate resources more efficiently – ultimately leading to improved health outcomes in affected communities.
"This guidance comes at a critical time as we scale up efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis and STH," said Fikre Seife, National NTD Program team leader, Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. "The step-by-step instructions ensure that our interventions are based on the most recent evidence and that we can direct resources to where they will have the greatest impact."
WHO remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting countries as they work towards the elimination of these parasitic diseases, which continue to disproportionately impact some of the world's most vulnerable populations.
