Strategic framework for the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem in eastern Africa 2023–2030

Overview

Vision

Eastern Africa subregion free of visceral leishmaniasis (VL)

Goal

To contribute to improving the health status of vulnerable groups and at-risk populations living in areas endemic for VL in eastern Africa by eliminating VL as a public health problem.

Targets

The road map target for elimination of VL as a public health problem is defined as < 1% case-fatality rate due to primary VL. A low mortality due to VL is an indicator both for early access to diagnosis and treatment and for quality of care.

Regional and country-level subtargets

During the Programme Managers’ Review Meeting of Central and East Africa and South-East Asia (online meeting, June 2022), experts proposed additional regional and national subtargets related to VL incidence, as defined below. These targets can be revisited as progress is reviewed and access to diagnosis and treatment and surveillance improves.

Regional targets

The overall regional targets are to achieve:

• 90: 90: 100 – fewer than 1500 new cases reported per year in eastern Africa by 2030 (about a 90% reduction from the 13-year average including an estimated 25% underreporting in 2010–2022);
• 90% of VL cases detected and started on treatment within 30 days of onset of symptoms by 2030;
• 100% decline in VL deaths in children by 2030;
• 100% of VL–HIV coinfected patients started on antiretroviral therapy and referred to HIV clinics or services for long-term management; and
• all PKDL cases detected, reported and managed.

The mid-term regional targets are to achieve:

• 60% reduction of new VL cases by 2027;
• 100% HIV screening for all detected VL cases, and 100% of results reported by 2027;
• 75% of VL cases detected and started on treatment within 30 days of onset of symptoms by 2027; and
• to consider a mid-term target for case fatality reduction.