Technical Cooperation Projects

Project Background:
In 1999 under the umbrella of the global filariasis elimination program that planned to declare the elimination by 2020, the Pacific Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (PacELF) has been formulated as a regional collaborative approach on eliminating filariasis from the Pacific region. The approach involves a comprehensive set of strategies, including blood survey for monitoring by antigen test (ICT, Immuno-Chroimatiographic Test) and MDA (Mass drug Administration) with new combination drug regimen of albendazole and DEC (diethyl carbamazine citrate), vector control, morbidity control and awareness campaigns,. The Japanese government through JICA, Japan International Cooperation Agency has been donated DEC and ICT, and technical assistance by JOCVs since 2000, collaboration with WHO and ministries of health in 14 pacific countries.

The program has made visible outcome so far. It is specially reported that infectious rate dramatically dropped and the eradication of the filariasis is nearly reached in Cook Is, niue, Vanuatu and Solomon Is. However, due to constrains and difficulties in the context of other countries including Fiji, the program needs to be continued with further improvement of the approaches using ICT, and MDA. Thus, Fiji government requests Japan to keep supporting for the activities from 2011 for further 5 years.

Project Period:
April 2010 – March 2015

Project Budget (Estimated):
30 million yen per year (the annual budget will be subjected to change as it is depended on the progress and requests from the countries)

Target Areas:
Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Vanuatu, Cook Is., Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, Marshals, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Is., and PNG

Target Group:
All population in the targeted countries

Overall Goal of the Project:
The Lymphatic Filariasis elimination achieved in Pacific region by 2020

Project Purpose:
The Prevalence rate is dropped below 1% in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Tuvalu, Marshals, Micronesia and Palau by 2014
The Elimination to be confirmed in Vanuatu, Tonga, Niue, and Cook Is. by 2014
(The elimination in PNG will be expected by 2020)

Expected Outputs;

1. Detailed prevalence is mapped
2. Detected positive people are treated