In the border communities of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the fight against onchocerciasis – a disease caused by the bite of infected black flies – has always been a shared struggle. Families living along the Lhubiriha River have felt the impact of this disease for generations.
Bridging borders: Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo united against NTDs
CBM recognises that a collective effort is required to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). As such, we are deliberate about collaborating with like-minded organisations to achieve our global goal of 100 countries eliminating at least one NTD by 2030.
A joint effort for a common cause
Recognising the need for a unified approach, two implementing partners – CBM in the DRC and the Carter Center in Uganda – supported a cross-border initiative between the two countries. This partnership brought together health workers, community leaders, security personnel, and government representatives to address the onchocerciasis situation in Mutwanga. Through the sharing of technical expertise, training, and coordinated field visits, the collaboration aimed to protect the gains made in Uganda and extend these benefits to the DRC, ensuring comprehensive regional disease control.
With CBM support, health workers from Uganda trained health workers in the DRC. Ugandan experts shared their technical knowledge in detecting and monitoring onchocerciasis, equipping the DRC team with the tools needed to conduct practical fieldwork and manage the disease independently in their communities. Following the training, joint teams from both countries began extensive fieldwork, visiting 19 villages along the border. They collected blood samples from children – a critical step in assessing whether the disease was still present in the region.
A breakthrough in the fight against onchocerciasis
When we work together, we can achieve outcomes that once seemed impossible. The success in Lhubiriha highlights the effectiveness of regional collaboration in combating NTDs
The results from the blood samples collected in the Lhubiriha focus area have brought great news: all samples tested negative for the presence of the disease. This finding has led onchocerciasis experts to recommend reclassifying the status of the Lhubiriha in Uganda from ‘transmission interruption suspected’ to ‘transmission interrupted’. This means that mass drug administrations in the area can now be halted.
“This partnership has shown us that when we work together, we can achieve outcomes that once seemed impossible. The success in Lhubiriha highlights the effectiveness of regional collaboration in combating NTDs. It also highlights the importance of continuous vigilance to ensure that our communities remain free from diseases even after we reach significant milestones.”
Dr Naomi Awacha, National Coordinator for NTDs, Ministry of Health, the DRC
Insights into D.R Congo’s NTD programme: A chat with Dr Naomi Awacha, the NTD National Coordinator
Dr. Michel Mandro-Ndahura, NTD Programme Manager for West Africa at Christian Blind Mission (CBM), sat down with Dr. Naomi Awacha, National NTD Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to discuss the progress, challenges, and opportunities within the DRC's NTD programme. They also reflected on the significance of the World NTD Day 2025 theme—'Unite. Act. Eliminate NTDs'—in driving efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases.
