One Health in Action: Regional Rabies Elimination 

Session title One Health in Action: Regional Rabies Elimination
Coordinator College of Health Sciences, University of Makerere
Hosts College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Sponsored by MSD Animal Health
Session objectives
  • To raise awareness of the burden of rabies in the East African Region.
  • To raise awareness of the feasibility of canine rabies elimination and the ‘Zero by 30’ strategy for the global elimination of human deaths from canine rabies.
  • To demonstrate the value of a coordinated One Health approach for combating this neglected disease with benefits extending beyond rabies.
  • To develop a regional roadmap towards eliminating rabies in the East African region by 2030.
Session abstract The aim of the panel discussion would be to secure political buy-in for ‘Zero by 30’ through raising awareness of the burden of rabies (including rabies deaths, economic and social impacts) in the East African region. It will address how a coordinated One Health approach could target this neglected disease, with huge benefits extending beyond rabies. The discussion will highlight the feasibility of control and elimination through readily available tools, the research evidence generated by East African scientists demonstrating progress made in the region, and champion East Africa’s leadership in global elimination efforts.

The discussion will look to mobilise technical expertise and political will, through the development of a regional roadmap towards eliminating rabies in the East African region by 2030. We envisage that this would comprise a series of linked steps, including:

  • Plans for regional collaboration and coordination on rabies control activities, including surveillance, communications and advocacy to decision-makers;
  • Joint technical training to support and catalyze rabies control and prevention activities (across sectors and countries – a 2-week training workshop will be held in Tanzania in October 2020 attended by local rabies champions from each country);
  • Development and documentation of in-country action for scaling up dog rabies control activities that will be required for applications to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, requesting support for human vaccines;
  • Planning to support development of strong country-applications to Gavi for human vaccines.

 
Session Format Panel Discussion 16 Workshop Plenary
Chair Dr Clovice Kankya, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Keynote Address Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, DG World Health Organization or Dr Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela, Head of NTDs, WHO
Speakers Title Contact Status
Speaker 1
(Policy/Government)		 Tackling rabies in the animal sector in Uganda. Ugandan Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Rose Ann Ademun
Speaker 2
(Policy/Government)		 Human impact of rabies in Rwanda. Dr Diane Gashumba, Minister of Health, Rwanda
Speaker 3
(Civil Society)		 Civil society and operational perspective on the elimination challenge. Dr. Thumbi Mwangi, Director of Rabies Free Kenya
Speaker 4
(Academia)		 Science of elimination and the barriers preventing this from occurring. Professor Sarah Cleaveland, University of Glasgow
Speaker 5
(Private sector)		 Private sector perspective, particularly around the challenge of securing supply of quality dog vaccine. Dr. Alasdair King, Director of Intergovernmental Veterinary Health, MSD Animal Health
Speaker 6 To provide knowledge on data, based on his study of rabies in the region. Terence Odoch, Lecturer, Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Vet Public Health
Speaker 7 To share FAO’s contributions to rabies control in the region. Dr. Chris Ayebazibwe, Deputy Team Leader Emerging Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, FAO, Uganda
Speaker 8
(Independent expert)		 To provide a forward-looking perspective on the opportunities of the GAVI replenishment and Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali and the need for new innovative financing tools for rabies elimination specifically addressing the challenge of dog vaccination. Lord Alexander Trees, Professor

Event Timeslots (1)

ROOM 3 ROYAL PALM
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PD 16