Training course on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Training Course on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Introduction 

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) remain a major global public health concern, disproportionately affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Training Course on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) equips participants with advanced knowledge of disease epidemiology, surveillance systems, rapid diagnostics, community engagement models, mass drug administration (MDA), and vector control interventions. Anchored in the WHO NTD Road Map 2021–2030, the course emphasizes integrated approaches, cross-sectoral collaboration, health system strengthening, and evidence-based decision-making to accelerate progress toward NTD elimination.

The program blends digital health innovations, predictive analytics, GIS mapping, climate-sensitive planning, and case management for major NTDs such as schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths, trachoma, and other high-burden diseases. Through real-world case studies, participants will analyze successful NTD control programs, evaluate MDA campaigns, design community-centered interventions, and apply multi-disease platforms to enhance efficiency and sustainability. This training is ideal for professionals involved in public health programming, humanitarian response, health policy, and disease elimination efforts.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1.      Understand epidemiological patterns and global burden of major Neglected Tropical Diseases.

2.      Apply WHO-recommended guidelines for NTD prevention, control, and elimination programs.

3.      Implement integrated NTD surveillance and monitoring systems.

4.      Design and manage Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programs effectively.

5.      Utilize GIS, mapping tools, and real-time digital platforms for NTD data analytics.

6.      Conduct risk assessment, hotspot identification, and predictive modeling for NTD outbreaks.

7.      Strengthen community-based approaches and social mobilization strategies.

8.      Develop cross-sectoral partnerships for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-based interventions.

9.      Manage and evaluate vector control and environmental health strategies.

10.  Implement case management protocols for key NTDs.

11.  Address gender-responsive, equity-focused, and culturally appropriate NTD interventions.

12.  Prepare program reports, grant proposals, and donor communication documents.

13.  Apply global best practices for achieving the WHO 2030 NTD Road Map targets.

Organizational Benefits

Organizations enrolling staff in this course will benefit through:

1.      Improved capacity to design, manage, and evaluate high-impact NTD programs.

2.      Strengthened surveillance and evidence-based decision-making systems.

3.      Enhanced effectiveness of Mass Drug Administration campaigns.

4.      Better integration of WASH, vector control, and community interventions.

5.      Access to global best practices and innovative elimination strategies.

6.      Increased ability to secure funding from global health partners.

7.      Reduced disease burden in target communities, improving productivity.

8.      Stronger digital health and data analytics competencies within the organization.

9.      Improved stakeholder coordination and policy alignment.

10.  Enhanced institutional leadership in global health and NTD elimination.

Target Participants

This course is designed for:

1.      Public health practitioners and epidemiologists

2.      Community health officers and program implementers

3.      NTD focal persons and disease control coordinators

4.      Researchers and academic professionals

5.      Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practitioners

6.      Health policy makers and ministry of health officials

7.      NGO, INGO, and humanitarian staff

8.      Environmental health officers and WASH specialists

9.      Medical officers, nurses, and clinical practitioners

10.  Graduate students in global health and tropical medicine

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Neglected Tropical Diseases

1.      Definition and classification of NTDs

2.      Global and regional burden

3.      WHO 2030 NTD Road Map targets

4.      Social determinants of NTDs

5.      Case Study: Ethiopia’s progress toward eliminating trachoma

Module 2: Epidemiology of Major NTDs

1.      Transmission pathways

2.      Disease lifecycle and host-vector dynamics

3.      Risk factors and vulnerability

4.      Burden estimation techniques

5.      Case Study: Lymphatic filariasis mapping in India

Module 3: Integrated NTD Surveillance

1.      Surveillance frameworks

2.      Active vs passive surveillance mechanisms

3.      Event-based and community reporting

4.      Data quality assurance

5.      Case Study: Integrated surveillance in Tanzania

Module 4: Mass Drug Administration (MDA)

1.      MDA campaign planning

2.      Drug supply chain logistics

3.      Dose assessment and safety

4.      Community mobilization

5.      Case Study: Onchocerciasis control in West Africa

Module 5: Diagnostic Tools and Case Management

1.      Rapid diagnostic tests

2.      Laboratory confirmation procedures

3.      Case classification

4.      Clinical management of NTDs

5.      Case Study: Leishmaniasis diagnosis in Sudan

Module 6: Vector Control and Environmental Management

1.      Integrated vector management

2.      Larval source management

3.      Chemical and biological control

4.      Environmental sanitation

5.      Case Study: Vector control in onchocerciasis-endemic regions

Module 7: WASH Interventions for NTD Control

1.      Water access and sanitation

2.      Hygiene behaviour change

3.      School-based WASH programs

4.      Policy and community partnerships

5.      Case Study: Schistosomiasis reduction via school WASH in Kenya

Module 8: Digital Health Tools for NTD Programs

1.      Mobile data collection tools

2.      Digital reporting systems

3.      Telehealth for remote case management

4.      GIS and real-time dashboards

5.      Case Study: Kobo-based NTD reporting in South Sudan

Module 9: GIS and NTD Mapping

1.      Spatial analysis fundamentals

2.      Mapping high-burden zones

3.      Hotspot identification

4.      Predictive modeling using GIS

5.      Case Study: GIS mapping for STH in Rwanda

Module 10: Climate Change and NTD Distribution

1.      Climate-sensitive transmission patterns

2.      Early warning systems

3.      Climate-driven predictive analytics

4.      Risk adaptation strategies

5.      Case Study: Climate-related NTD patterns in Mozambique

Module 11: Community Engagement and Social Mobilization

1.      Health education strategies

2.      Using CHVs for NTD intervention delivery

3.      Gender-responsive approaches

4.      Cultural and social behavior drivers

5.      Case Study: Community-led MDA success in Sierra Leone

Module 12: Integration of NTD Programs

1.      Multi-disease platforms

2.      Task-shifting and resource optimization

3.      Integrated service delivery

4.      Cross-border coordination

5.      Case Study: Multi-NTD platform approach in Nigeria

Module 13: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

1.      Indicators and frameworks

2.      M&E tools

3.      Evaluation design

4.      Reporting and feedback loops

5.      Case Study: M&E system strengthening in Uganda

Module 14: NTD Program Management

1.      Strategic planning

2.      Stakeholder coordination

3.      Budgeting and resource mobilization

4.      Governance and accountability

5.      Case Study: Large-scale NTD program rollout in Kenya

Module 15: Proposal Writing & Donor Engagement

1.      Writing NTD project concepts

2.      Logical framework development

3.      Developing sustainability plans

4.      Donor reporting requirements

5.      Case Study: Successful NTD proposal to the END Fund

Training Methodology

• Interactive instructor-led sessions
• Hands-on AI tool demonstrations
• Group-based leadership simulations
• Real-life case study discussions
• Personalized leadership development plans
• Post-training mentoring and AI coaching sessions

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.