【Update】Results of Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis Campaign in West New Britain Province

In West New Britain Province (WNBP), the first round of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) targeting the entire provincial population, launched at the end of last November, was completed by the end of January this year. Subsequently, in early March, additional drug administration (Mop-Up activity) was conducted in areas where the administration could not be completed during the initial phase. Furthermore, during the MDA, numerous cases (including suspected cases) of LF, as well as other　Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), were also reported. The LF-MDA coverage, indicated by the proportion of the population administered IDA (Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole) in the province, was 63.08% (Table 1). Additionally, the drug coverage rate for Azithromycin, which is considered effective against Yaws, conducted around the same time as the LF-MDA, was 54.78% (Table 2).

In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) review considered these coverage rates, along with the findings from a Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES, carried out by provincial health officers who visited selected villages and towns, following standardised survey methods and interviewing residents) and the results of decreasing the number of NTD cases reported in Outpatient Department (OPD) in WNBP in the quarter (January to March 2024) following the MDA implementation (NTD-related cases, including LF: down 35%; yaws: down 48%). Also, it considered the high efficacy of the IDA (Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole) regimen confirmed in the assessment survey after two rounds of MDA in East New Britain Province, a neighbouring province of West New Britain Province.

In light of these results, preparations for the second round of MDA in WNBP are underway in collaboration with various organisations, incorporating lessons learned and improvements identified from the first round to ensure a more effective programme. Notably, all four drugs used were sourced internationally through WHO, with the IDA regimen provided to Papua New Guinea (PNG) free of charge by pharmaceutical companies via WHO.

Through technical cooperation, this project supports the implementation of the MDA by working closely with relevant organizations and stakeholders in areas like budget planning (micro plan), procurement, public outreach (including social mobilization), pre-implementation training, and data management. Throughout the process, we are exploring ways to develop and strengthen the planning and implementation capacity of PNG government agencies as key counterparts.

Timeline

Table 1. LF coverage by area (population data sourced from eNHIS, NDoH)

Table 2. Yaws coverage by area (population data sourced from eNHIS, NDoH)