The MENTOR Initiative

We are very happy to share The MENTOR Initiative’s annual report! The report highlights areas where we have made an impact preventing diseases and improving health, working with communities most at risk of diseases and lacking access to established health services. Thanks to our donors, partners and a dedicated team our disease control and healthcare programmes in complex, humanitarian emergencies are helping to reduce suffering and save lives. Read it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e89iPacZ #annualreport #humanitarian #team #diseasecontrol #healthcare

The rise in dengue cases is alarming and has been recognised as a serious public health problem for a while now particularly in countries where MENTOR operates. In these humanitarian emergency settings the risk of transmission is even higher due to limited diagnosis and treatment capacity, compounded by reduced access to healthcare. This makes it difficult to accurately gauge the disease's true burden. In these contexts, conventional vector control methods like long-lasting insecticidal treated nets and indoor residual spraying are ineffective against Aedes mosquitoes, which tend to breed in artificial water containers and bite mainly outdoors and during the day. MENTOR has been addressing dengue through an integrated approach, targeting Aedes mosquitoes throughout its lifecycle for over 20 years. Only with effective integrated vector management is it possible to control dengue as proven by MENTOR teams in rural and urban contexts in places like Myanmar, Mozambique, and Venezuela. But there remains an urgent need to invest in and strengthen diagnostic and treatment capacities in high-risk countries and scale up effective vector control interventions. Without these improvements, dengue cases will continue to rise and spread and potentially turn into a larger public health emergency. #dengue #emergency #crisis #outbreak #aedes #vectorcontrol #Myanmar #Mozambique #Venezuela 👉 https://lnkd.in/dhFa3gkh

We are proud to partner with SC Johnson and contribute to the development of innovative life-saving tools that address the complex challenges of disease-carrying vectors. Thanks to this partnership Guardian™ spatial repellent is helping to protect people in emergency settings where there is a high risk of diseases such as malaria. #partnership #humanitarian #vectorcontrol #diseasecontrol #malaria

In Mozambique cholera continues to be a significant public health problem with over 16,500 cases diagnosed between October 2023 and July 2024. It is an epidemic in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, with 2,431 and 5,658 cases diagnosed respectively during the same period. The situation worsens during the rainy season and in areas with a lack of water and sanitation, particularly in internally displaced person camps in Cabo Delgado. MENTOR recently trained 70 health technicians from 17 health units ahead of the rainy season to prepare for the emergence and prevention of new outbreaks in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Provincial Health Directorate of Nampula, supported by UNICEF Moçambique. The health technicians belong to units that are part of the Cholera Treatment Centres and will handle the treatment and follow-up of cases in coordination with the Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) teams in the affected communities. This intervention aims to equip health teams with the technical capabilities to respond effectively to any cholera cases that may arise. A rapid and effective response, including case treatment, is critical to prevent fatalities. Since January 2024 MENTOR has been part of the emergency response task force for cholera outbreaks in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces to strengthen the response in certain areas. This has involved coordinating with all partners, case management, epidemiological surveillance, water and sanitation distribution, education, communication and information, community engagement, and logistics. 📷 A team of health technicians at the cholera preparation training. #Mozambique #CaboDelgado #Nampula #cholera #emergency #displaced #humanitarian #community #training #publichealth

Robust health information systems are key to ensure data on neglected tropical diseases is properly gathered, analysed and transformed into information that can guide accurate and efficient decision making. Last week at the NNN Conference, Xavier Badia Rius presented work led by the Ministry of Health Angola on the digital transition process to develop a mass drug administration campaign data repository compatible with the country’s Health Information System. The presentation was part of a panel discussion promoted by Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. and Sightsavers and showcased how much the MoH Angola is spearheading the campaign’s data digitalisation. It highlighted the consultative and collaborative process that MoH Angola, The MENTOR Initiative and Saudigitus embarked on in 2021 with the support of The END Fund, to improve the management, visualisation and use of data across Angola. This work has resulted in getting reliable data more quickly, influencing decision making and improving the effectiveness and coverage of mass drug administrations. The development of the DHIS2 based system aligns with Angola MoH priorities and tools ensuring all data from national programmes is managed through the same platform. In 2023, data from all MDA campaigns over the past 10 years addressing lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths was entered into the newly developed platform, ensuring all data is stored in a single system allowing for comparative analysis. #Angola #NTDs #NNN2024 #BeatNTDs #diseasecontrol #data #health #information 📷 Photo from the workshop: “Progress towards integrated digital data systems for NTDs: a framework based on WHO and Country experiences. "

Today The MENTOR Initiative marks 22 years of service to people living in the harshest environments at huge risk of diseases and suffering. Supported by our partners, donors, and an incredible team we reached and protected over 100 million people during this period helping to save countless lives. In our third decade, we are even more committed to serve by responding to the growing number of crises caused by escalating global conflict, extreme weather, and an unprecedented number of people forcibly displaced. As of May 2024, this number had reached 120 million, the 12th consecutive annual rise in the global figures for forced displacement. (source: ECHO) The need for humanitarian assistance has never been greater or more urgent and MENTOR is growing to meet these complex challenges. On our anniversary, founder CEO Richard Allan OBE steps down from this role to become chair of the board and Sérgio L. the new CEO. Richard and Sergio will work closely together developing important high-level relationships, operational research, and manage regulatory bodies, strengthening the organisation as we move into this next phase. We are immensely grateful to Paul Jobson the outgoing chair for his dedication and service since his appointment in 2011. Paul will remain a member of the board continuing to share his knowledge and experience. MENTOR is delighted to announce Dr Giles Cattermole, a consultant in emergency medicine joins the board of directors bringing invaluable expertise to our expanding organisation. #anniversary #humanitarian #team #leadership #conflict #diseasecontrol #healthcare #climatechange #weather #internallydisplaced #refugees

“While many countries are advancing towards the elimination of neglected tropical diseases, there is the risk of leaving behind the areas who are affected by conflict. It is important to understand the risks, challenges, and possible solutions to ensure everyone is included in NTD elimination goals.” – Xavier Badia Rius, MENTOR Programme Manager speaking today at the NTD NGO Network (NNN) conference. Xavier presented during the workshop of the Conflict and Humanitarian Emergency Working Group on how publicly available data can be used to map several variables related to conflict, displacement and NTD endemicity to inform decision making in programmes. His presentation focussed on the conflict in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, and examined and identified the risks of not meeting the NTD Roadmap 2030 targets in districts affected by insecurity. Caption: Photo taken during a mass drug administration campaign in Maban, South Sudan addressing the high rates of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis amongst communities displaced by conflict. #Mozambique #humanitarian #NTDs #beatNTDs #NNN2024

We are pleased to be at the NNN conference in Kuala Lumpur where the focus is Collaboration for Change: Fostering Global Equity and Strengthening Community Engagement in NTDs. Xavier Badia Rius, MENTOR Programme Manager who is presenting as part of the Conflict and Humanitarian Emergency Working Group on day two, said: “Being part of NNN allows us to share our experiences and knowledge as well as hear and learn from other country programmes and partners to progress towards 2030 targets.” MENTOR works in partnership with Ministries of Health in Angola and South Sudan supporting the rapid scale up of mass drug administration campaigns to control neglected tropical diseases. In 2023 we supported the delivery of over 6.3 million treatments for onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis (both countries), schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (Angola) in communities affected by conflict, displacement, poor sanitation, and reduced access to health services. We are also working closely with communities in Central African Republic, Venezuela and Syria on programmes to control NTDs such as leishmaniasis, dengue and Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. #NTDs #beatNTDs #diseasecontrol #humanitarian #NNN2024 #onchocerciasis #lymphaticfilariasis #schistosomiasis #soiltranmittedhelminths #dengue #hygiene #leishmaniasis #HAT

The second phase of a programme to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive education and protection services for children affected by conflict recently begun in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. MENTOR is responsible for rehabilitating boreholes, latrines and building water stations to improve access to water and hygiene in schools severely affected by armed conflict and that have a large number of displaced children. These activities are being delivered as part of a consortium led by Save the Children International in partnership with Humanitarian and Inclusion and Associação Progresso, supported by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The first field visits, presentation meetings and assessments with local partners are taking place in the districts of Nangade, Mocimboa da Praia and Meluco with district education, health, infrastructure and local administrator directorates. At the end of the programme, 83,700 children are expected to have access to improved education services, including improved water and sanitation in their school. The first phase of the Safe and Inclusive Learning (SAIL) project took place from June 2022 to May 2024, and reached 97,792 children from 5 to 17 years old. #Mozambique #IDPs #displacedchildren #education #conflict #humanitarian #water #sanitation

An innovative new training programme to improve the management and treatment of leishmaniasis was recently launched in three districts in northern Aleppo, Syria. Training for local health service providers aims to strengthen the response to this debilitating neglected tropical disease, which has increased significantly since conflict began here in 2011. A total of 123 health workers, including physicians, nurses, midwives, medical technicians, and pharmacists took part in the training which covered leishmaniasis case management, prevention strategies, and the latest treatment protocols set by the World Health Organization (WHO). It also included crucial pharmaceutical management techniques to ensure the proper handling of medicines such as Glucantime, the primary treatment for leishmaniasis. MOUHANNAD ABDULKADER, MENTOR Programme Officer in the Middle East, said: “MENTOR’s training programme is key to ensure the long-term sustainability of health services and move towards a locally led approach. As trained health workers take over the full management of leishmaniasis cases in their respective health facilities MENTOR’s role will be to provide only technical support and oversight as needed. With the prevalence of leishmaniasis in northern Syria remaining high, supporting local health professionals represents major progress to effectively manage the disease.” Quarterly review meetings will address any challenges and ensure guidelines and treatment protocols are followed efficiently. A project supported by the Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF). #Syria #leishmaniasis #healthcare #diseasecontrol #training #humanitarian #ntds #beatntds