active · Health

Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ASCEND)

Throughout the life of the program, ASCEND is responsible for progressing Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) targets in 20 high burden countries for five NTDS: Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis; and Trachoma. ASCEND will target 10 countries, two in South Asia (Bangladesh & Nepal) and eight in East Africa (Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia). ASCEND will deliver a range of interventions for control and elimination of NTDs in line with national NTD strategies while also ensuring a strong health systems approach. The interventions will include Prevention and treatment, mass drug administration; intensive case management; surgery for trachoma; Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) and behaviour change communication interventions. Commencing in May 2019, Crown Agents and its consortium are now mobilising core staff, programme designs and in-country presence in the countries identified under Lot 1. As part of this inception period (13 May – 12 August 2019), each country office will prepare a Country Assessment. These Assessments will inform investment choices over the life of the programme and include: strategic directions and theories of change; political economy analysis; inclusion analysis; an epidemiology assessment; institutional capacity including Sustainability assessment, and; a supply chain review.