Arba Minch University’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences is now a name to reckon with as its Collaborative Research and Training Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease (CRTC-NTD) continues to bag national-level clinical assignments from Ministry of Health and partners.  

The Centre has almost completed its maiden task of independent monitoring of Mass-Drug Administration (MDA) for Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthes among the age group of 5 to 15 school children of 256 schools in nine regions.

CRTC-NTD on Ministry of Health invitation has presented the brief analysis of independent monitoring carried out in a biennial meeting held at Debrezeyit last week. It has presented the overall analysis on national-level and the findings on regional basis pertaining to the challenges encountered, informed college dean, Mr Behailu Merdekios.

During the meeting, partners have again entrusted the centre with another assignment to carry out nation-wide independent monitoring of mass-drug administration on child and adolescent in nine regions of the country.

Specifics of the assignment would soon be thrashed out; under the given task survey of the nine regions i.e. SNNPR, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambela, Oromia, Afar, Tigray, Amhara, Harari and Somali will be carried out in two to three months time.

Centre’s next assignment is from US-based NGO, Envision/MMDP, along with Ministry of Health to conduct post-MDA coverage survey and validation of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Benishangul-Gumuz region. The agreement in this regard is likely to be signed soon.

On CRTC-NTD preparedness, dean said, our college will have two groups to execute the jobs. We have manpower as previous assignment was carried out by 53 college staff along with PG students; if there will be shortage, staff from sister universities will be taken.

As Centre gets involved into flurry of activities, need of separate research centre, buildings, technological supplies and laboratory set-up has been urgently felt.

 

(By Corporate Communication Directorate: Philips Joseph)