Regional workshop on the safety of preventive chemotherapy for the elimination of neglected infectious diseases in the Region of the Americas. 1–3 June and 30 June 2022. Workshop report
Date
2024-10-18Document Number
OPS/CDE/VT/24-0010
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The "Regional workshop on the safety of preventive chemotherapy for the elimination of neglected infectious diseases in the the Region of the Americas " was a significant event organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to enhance the safety of neglected infectious disease (NID) programs that use preventive chemotherapy (PC). Despite the generally safe administration of PC, the workshop addressed several areas needing improvement, including the reporting and investigation of serious adverse events (SAEs), coordination between NID programs and national pharmacovigilance agencies, safety training for community drug distributors, and crisis communication, especially concerning SAEs and rumors.
Supported by the IZUMI Foundation and the Fred Hollows Foundation, the workshop aimed to provide additional guidance and support to national NID programs in the Americas. Participants from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Paraguay, along with facilitators from PAHO and observers from various NGOs, focused on key issues in NID safety. The workshop was structured into two parts: the first three days concentrated on sharing experiences, successes, and challenges in NID safety across different countries. After a brief hiatus, participants reconvened to present their analyses and propose steps to address identified challenges.
Innovative approaches in this workshop, such as the use of pre-workshop questionnaires, facilitated breakout groups, and the separation of the main workshop from the "country report" session, proved effective in identifying gaps and developing strategies to strengthen NID safety. The workshop's recommendations include incorporating these innovations into future regional and national NID safety workshops, using the pre-workshop survey as a baseline safety assessment tool, and creating an online repository of safety resources for national NID programs.
The workshop underscored the importance of safety in NID programs and the need for ongoing improvements in training, supervision, and practice at all levels. By integrating these safety measures more deeply into national health systems, the workshop participants took important steps toward ensuring the safe and effective elimination of NIDs in the Americas.
Pages
40 p.
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