Background
Congo was the second country in Africa to roll out a NTD country scorecard in 2019. The NTD Control and Elimination scorecard management tool for accountability and action tracks progress of indicators that reflect the priorities and objectives outlined in Congo’s NTD national strategic plan including the targeted elimination of several neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trachoma, leprosy, human African trypanosomiasis and the treatment of all Buruli Ulcer cases by antibiotics.
How it works
Since it was first rolled out, the scorecard tool has been regularly updated and reviewed during several meetings including with the government cabinet, national and subnational stakeholders and partners, but also during training and supervision meetings for health workers.
Impact
Health workforce capacity building
During the analysis of the Q3 and Q4 2018 scorecard, it was revealed that there was a low level of therapeutic coverage in the Niari department. Health districts were asked to propose solutions to improve and it was agreed to invest in capacity building of health workers prior to the DMM 2019. Indicators then improved significantly in this department in 2019 and 2020.
Resource mobilisation
The scorecard tool was used to advocate for more resources, leading WHO/ESPEN to increase their 2020 contributions. The scorecard is now included in the Ministry of Health semi-annual and annual reports, shared with the ministry, departments, districts stakeholders and partners. The scorecard was also incorporated into the 2019 NTD annual report, which is shared with government institutions and partners. Using the scorecard to present gaps identified during its analysis, the NTD programme mobilised funds from the government and from 2020, a budget line on NTDs was created with a pledge of 100,000 million CFA francs (almost US$ 170,000) to support the four NTD programmes. The country also mobilized additional funds for MDA targeting schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis as well as to map these diseases in 2021.
Key success factors
- Used for advocacy with partners
- Shared with partners as part of the official Ministry of Health reports
- Used during health workers supervision and training
- Used in data validation meetings at the departmental and district level