Implementation of National Programme - Burkina FasoBurkina Faso’s proposal to SCI was approved by the Advisory Board on October 30th 2003, subject to agreement to work on a regional basis with Mali and Niger. The nominated National Co-ordinator is Dr Seydou Touré, who is located in the Division of Disease Control of the Ministry of Health, the Director of which is Dr Souleyman Sanou. This Division operates within the General Division of Health under Dr Sosthene Zombre. They all work closely with Dr Jean-Noel Poda of the Institut de Recherche en Science de la Santé, who specializes in research on schistosomiasis, and will be responsible for the design and implementation of the baseline data collection and subsequent annual monitoring. The first round of baseline data collection in Burkina started on 8 February 2004, and should be completed by the end of May. The formal launch of the national programme is scheduled for 6 May 2004. Drs. Alan Fenwick and Albis Gabrielli will attend for SCI, and there will be representatives from Cote D'Ivoire, Mali and Niger at the launch. After the launch, the first phase of treatment of 100,000 people will take place. The second phase of treatment has been scheduled to start in November 2004. Supplies of praziquantel and albendazole for 2004/2005 will be ordered by Imperial College, but thereafter by the Centrale d’Achat des Medicaments Essentielles et des Consommables Medicaux (CAMEG). |