Pac-CARE Programme Review Group

The ninth meeting of the Lymphatic Filariasis Programme Managers for the Pacific was held in Nadi, Fiji in June 2007.

For the first time the Pacific PRG called “PacCARE”, whose members are  appointed by the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region, met a full day before and half a day after the LF Managers meeting in June 2007 to review in detail the situation of each of the Pacific Countries, Areas and Territories.

In addition to the governments of the Pacific Countries, many partners like JICA, GlaxoSmithKline, CDC, James Cook University, Emory University, and the French Embassy in Fiji provide support for the LF control activities in the Pacific.

12 out of 16 endemic countries in the Pacific have conducted Mass Drug Administration. 20% of the total at-risk population has been reached so far, the major challenge being Papua New Guinea which represents 70% of the total population of the Pacific.  Due to the financial needs to sustain 5 rounds of MDA in the 20 provinces of the country, alternatives to MDA are currently being explored.
Several countries have completed at least five rounds of MDA and are implementing post MDA surveys. The preliminary results from a few countries show that some progress has been made but continuous efforts are needed to achieve the elimination target in the Pacific.

Based on historical evidence there is a real risk of resurgence of LF in the Pacific after reaching the elimination target. Therefore in 2007 a plan for active post MDA surveillance has been developed for the Pacific which proposes strategies to identify remaining and new foci transmission. The plan also highlights recommended actions and control measures.

The tenth annual meeting of Programme Managers will be held in Papua New Guinea in June 2008. The PacCARE PRG will convene its meeting one day before and one day after the LF Managers meeting.