Neglected tropical disease (NTD) control in health systems: the interface between programmes and general health services

While there is a growing consensus that neglected tropical disease (NTD) control and health services are linked, little is known of what actually happens at the interface between the two entities. The aim of this paper is to examine the interactions of NTD control programmes and general health services, focusing particularly on sub-Saharan Africa’s countries and reviewing related studies.

The paper notes that current NTD control programmes have no specific objectives with respect to the role of health services. However, the authors clarifies that NTD control programmes can be integrated into health systems to different degrees, and strengthen health systems through different scenarios.

Findings from the article include: 

• NTDs affect the poorest communities, which are served by the weakest health systems
• the strategy of integrated control at the community level offers opportunities for enhanced cost-effectiveness and feasibility in low-resource settings
• managers of disease control programmes can play a crucial role by instituting assessments of the respective scenarios
• coordinated efforts based on a coherent overall policy, managerial and administrative vision, and a long-term view are required
  

The article concludes that NTD campaigns have the potential to enhance some elements of the general health services. These may include the health information system, the drug procurement system, the health workforce and the community volunteers. On the other hand, NTD campaigns are at risk of inducing negative effects on health systems. These can be categorised as duplications, distortions and interruptions. As a result, detailed follow-up and documentation of how NTD campaigns and general health services interact is essential.