Dr Wendy Harrison was elected to Vice Chair of the Neglected Tropical Disease NGDO Network (NNN) at this year's annual meeting in Abu Dhabi

The NTD NGDO Network (NNN) was established in October 2009 to create a global forum for non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs) working to control onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths, trachoma, and leprosy. These NTDs share common strategies including community-based health interventions that can be integrated to strengthen health care systems.

The NNN meetings this year was hosted by CBM, from 13 - 16 September in Abu Dhabi. Over 150 member organisations based around the globe attended the meetings. Cross cutting issues such as morbidity management and disability prevention and the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene in preventing NTDs was the focus of this year’s meeting.SCI’s Dr Wendy Harrison and Dr Fiona Fleming participated. 

Dr Wendy Harrison was elected the position of NNN Vice Chair, a position she will hold for 2 years, after which she will become NNN Chair for 2 years. Wendy emphasized that success on the ground is only achievable by working together and as a group the need to consider how to build further on our partnerships is key.

 Dr Fiona Fleming is Chair of the NNN WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Working Group. The group launched the WHO WASH-NTD Strategy and implications at this meeting. Discussions focused on operationalizing the new strategy. The strategy is groundbreaking, with joint monitoring indicators to be used by both the NTD and WASH departments within WHO.