NINE | NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination

EVERY BREAKTHROUGH BEGINS WITH ONE Every breakthrough begins with one dedicated researcher, one compassionate health worker, and one determined community volunteer. Together, they form the heartbeat of the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) - diseases that thrive in silence and neglect but can be defeated through science, collaboration, and compassion. At NINE (NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination), we recognize that real impact doesn’t start in conference rooms - it begins in laboratories, villages, classrooms, and field clinics. It’s the quiet determination of a lab technician analyzing samples. It’s the persistence of a nurse who walks miles to deliver treatment. It’s the courage of a community volunteer who refuses to give up until every person is reached. These unsung heroes remind us that the road to elimination is paved with human commitment as much as scientific innovation. As we continue our mission to support Ghana and Africa’s NTD elimination agenda, we celebrate everyone who shows up - day after day - to make neglected diseases a thing of the past. Together, we move from neglect to action. #NINE #BeatNTDs #EndTheNeglect #HealthForAll #ScienceForImpact #CommunityHealth #NTDChampions

👀 Post-Validation Monitoring of Trachoma in Ghana: a Sneak Peek into an Integrated Surveillance Study! Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Ghana made history in 2018 as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. But what happens after elimination? How do we ensure the disease never resurges? Members of our NINE team (Adwoa Asante-Poku, Elizabeth Akyeama Antwi, Dziedzom K. de Souza), in a limited proof-of-concept study supported by Sightsavers and partners, have been exploring innovative, cost-effective ways to sustain disease elimination through integrated surveillance systems. Using serological markers (anti-Pgp3 antibodies) and blood samples originally collected for malaria resistance monitoring, we have demonstrated the feasibility of integrating trachoma surveillance into existing malaria surveillance programs. Our proof-of-concept study presents a cost-effective and sustainable model for post-elimination surveillance. 🔬 Preliminary results show encouraging insights: - Over 1,300 samples (2015–2023) from children 1 to 9 years were analyzed. - Anti-Pgp3 antibodies were found in 2% of samples, with higher prevalence in areas previously endemic. - Evidence suggests possible ongoing transmission, even among children born after the elimination of trachoma as a disease of public health concern, suggesting the need for further field evaluations. - This approach represents a step forward in multi-disease surveillance — optimizing public health resources and reinforcing Ghana’s leadership in eliminating neglected tropical diseases. Integration with malaria surveillance offers a sustainable model for long-term monitoring. Stay tuned for the full publication — coming soon! Follow NINE | NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination and reach out to learn more. #NINE #NMIMR #Trachoma #Elimination #Surveillance #PublicHealth #NeglectedTropicalDiseases #EyeHealth #GlobalHealth #Integration #HealthInnovation #PostValidationSurveillance #ChlamydiaTrachomatis #SustainableHealthSystems

Our very own Prof. Dziedzom K. de Souza was a contributor to this document. It is satisfying to see the contribution of our local experts at the international level. Congratulation to #WHO and the team for putting this important document out.

🎗️ October is Cancer Awareness Month. At NINE, we recognize that whether it’s cancer or Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), the fight begins with awareness, early detection, and access to care. Let’s unite for a healthier future where no disease is neglected. #CancerAwarenessMonth #NTDs #HealthForAll #NINECares

🔴 WARNING - VERY GRAPHIC IMAGE IN THIS POST Today, we put the focus on Buruli Ulcer – a silent but devastating Neglected Tropical Disease The image below shows the harsh reality of Buruli ulcer, a debilitating disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, a flesh-eating bacterium. It begins as a painless swelling or nodule but can progress into large, open ulcers (that can cover up to 50% of the body) if left untreated. 👉 Key Facts: Buruli ulcer is reported in over 30 countries, with Ghana among the most affected. It is linked to stagnant or slow flowing water, highlighting the impact of water sanitation and hygiene. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment can prevent severe disability and disfigurement. Many patients live in remote farming communities, where access to healthcare is limited. 💥 Impact: For affected individuals, Buruli ulcer means loss of mobility, stigma, and inability to work or attend school. Caregivers—often family members—must sacrifice time and income to provide support, compounding the cycle of poverty. 🌍 Why This Matters: Treatment is available, but sustained resources are needed to ensure timely diagnosis, medical care, and rehabilitation. No one should suffer lifelong disability from a preventable and treatable disease. 🤝 Call to Action: We urge donor organizations, partners, and stakeholders to prioritize support for Buruli ulcer programs in Ghana and beyond. With your commitment, we can strengthen health systems, provide care for patients and their families, and move closer to eliminating this devastating disease. Support NINE | NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination to make an impact in the lives of those affected. 📢 Together, let us ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against neglected tropical diseases. #BuruliUlcer #NTDs #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthForAll #TropicalDiseases #EndNTDs #HealthEquity #DiseaseElimination #OneHealth #RuralHealth #HealthcareAccess #CommunityHealth #DonorSupport #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #SDG3

The Final Push: Q4 2025 We’ve entered the final quarter of the year, and at NINE (NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination), we remain laser-focused on impact. 2025 has been a year of: - Groundbreaking field research - Stronger community engagements across the country - New partnerships to accelerate NTD elimination - Greater advocacy for health equity Now, it’s time for the final push - the last stretch where every action, every voice, and every partnership counts. Together, let’s close the year with momentum and step into 2026 with renewed strength to #EndNTDs. Join us as we push forward, for Ghana, for Africa, for healthier communities everywhere. #NINE4NTDs #FinalPush #NTDElimination #GlobalHealth #ResearchToImpact #PublicHealth #EndNTDs #PartnershipForImpact

Remembering Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Ghana recently marked the memorial of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the country’s first President and a visionary leader. We at NINE (NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination) reflect on his enduring legacy. Dr Nkrumah believed that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.” This vision extended beyond politics - it addressed health, education, and the empowerment of communities across the continent. At NINE, we see our work in eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) as part of that liberation: - Liberation from preventable diseases - Liberation from health inequities - Liberation for communities to thrive and contribute fully to development As Nkrumah dreamed of a free and prosperous Africa, we dream of a continent free from NTDs. His spirit inspires us to continue bridging research, advocacy, and partnerships to achieve lasting impact. Rest well, Osagyefo. Your vision lives on. #NINE4NTDs #EndNTDs #KwameNkrumah #Ghana #AfricaRising #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth

Today is World Snakebite Awareness Day Snakebite envenoming is one of the most overlooked Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Each year, millions are bitten by snakes, and thousands lose their lives or suffer life-changing disabilities, yet it remains a silent crisis in many rural communities across Africa and beyond. At NINE (NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination) we stand with global partners to raise awareness, push for stronger health systems, and support the development of accessible treatments. Together, we can: - Improve community education and prevention - Strengthen emergency response systems - Support research for effective antivenoms - Ensure victims receive timely, life-saving care Snakebite is preventable. Snakebite is treatable. Snakebite should not be neglected. #WorldSnakebiteDay #EndNTDs #NINE #Noguchi #SnakebiteAwareness

World Water Monitoring Day! Today, on World Water Monitoring Day, NINE joins the global call to protect one of our most vital resources - water. Clean and safe water is not just essential for life, but also for the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Communities without access to safe water are the most vulnerable, facing higher risks of diseases like schistosomiasis, trachoma, and other water-related infections. At NINE (NMIMR Institute for NTD Elimination), we recognize that safeguarding water is safeguarding health. Our commitment to research, innovation, and collaboration is driven by the belief that every community deserves safe water, good health, and a life free from NTDs. LET'S MONITOR! LET'S PROTECT! LET'S ACT! Together, we can ensure water is a source of life and hope - not disease. #WorldWaterMonitoringDay #Nine #NTDElimination #SafeWater #HealthyCommunities #WASH

🧬 Molecular Xenomonitoring: Strengthening Africa’s Capacity to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis & Onchocerciasis 🌍 One of the biggest challenges in eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis (river blindness) is knowing when transmission has truly stopped. Traditional surveys in human populations are useful but often invasive, and may miss low-level infections. This is why molecular xenomonitoring (MX) is such a powerful tool. By detecting parasite DNA in vector insects — mosquitoes for LF and blackflies for onchocerciasis — MX offers: ✔️ A sensitive, non-invasive method to monitor transmission ✔️ Critical evidence for decisions on stopping mass drug administration (MDA) ✔️ Early detection of potential resurgence 🔬 However, the effectiveness of MX depends on robust laboratory systems — equipped labs, reliable supply chains, and highly skilled personnel. Building this capacity is essential if Africa is to sustain progress against these NTDs. At NINE | NMIMR Initiative for NTDs Elimination, we are established to conduct MX for LF and onchocerciasis, providing training for laboratory personnel or analysing samples for countries that need our services. The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) implements a quality management system and is ISO 15189 accredited. 💡 Last week, we hosted a training at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, for colleagues from the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS), as part of our joint Gates Foundation Funded study. This training strengthened the hands-on skills in MX for LF, reinforced cross-country collaboration, and demonstrated how African research institutions can drive capacity-building across the region. 👉🏾 Investments in MX capacity are not just about technology — they are about empowering African scientists, enhancing surveillance systems, and securing the future of elimination programs. The fight against LF and onchocerciasis will not be won in the field alone — it will also be won in the laboratory. #NTDs #Xenomonitoring #PublicHealth #OneHealth #LaboratoryCapacity #Africa #EliminationGoals #NMIMR #CSRS #NINE