Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE)
A man who suffers from onchocerciasis at the Masongbo health center in the town of Masongbo, Sierra Leone.
About us
The Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE) drives a global partnership platform supporting countries to reach the global targets for elimination of onchocerciasis for 2030 set in the WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases.
The GONE network is open to all onchocerciasis stakeholders with demonstrated commitment to working towards the 2030 road map targets for onchocerciasis elimination.
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- To be inclusive and diverse in membership and structure, ensuring adequate representation from different stakeholder groups and geographical regions;
- To be transparent in all processes, including the operational strategy and GONE activities;
- To ensure all activities align with WHO’s norms and standards;
- To facilitate coordination among interested parties to advance WHO’s priorities on the road map 2030.
Main objectives
- To provide an inclusive and open access forum to improve communication, coordination, partnership and community of practice for all onchocerciasis stakeholders working closely to reach the 2030 road map targets for elimination of onchocerciasis.
- To conduct action oriented and effective advocacy working towards the 2030 road nap targets and milestones for onchocerciasis elimination.
Vision
To SEE onchocerciasis GONE!
Mission
To accelerate progress towards the achievement of the 2030 road map targets for onchocerciasis elimination.
Road map targets for onchocerciasis
The road map targets for the elimination of onchocerciasis are, by 2030: to stop mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin in at least one focus in 34 countries; to stop MDA in more than 50% of the population in at least 16 countries; to stop MDA in the entire endemic population of at least 12 countries; and to verify interruption of transmission in 12 countries.
Related publication
Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected...
Progress of onchocerciasis status worldwide
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How we work
Launched in January 2023 by WHO, Member States and partners, GONE is a country driven network that brings together diverse stakeholders in order to improve communication, coordination and collaboration and accelerate progress towards onchocerciasis elimination.
Steering Group
The Steering Group provides strategic direction and guidance for how GONE will operate, mobilize collaboration and secure resources to accomplish GONE’s activities. It reviews annual priorities and monitors and evaluates activities to optimize GONE’s functioning and impact.
The Steering Group consists of a Chair (WHO), two Vice-chairs (at least one from an onchocerciasis-endemic country), donors and implementing partners, a representation of key constituencies. Vice-chairs will be confirmed by WHO for a period of two years after consultation with the GONE network participants who can make recommendations for Vice-chair positions. The Chair and Vice-chairs will define annual priorities, support and oversee their timely implementation, and liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure prompt communication and effective problem-solving.
Operational office
WHO serves as the Secretariat of GONE which leads, manages and implements GONE’s day-to-day operations. Contact: Nadia Rozendaal, email: rozendaaln@who.int
Working groups (WGs)
WGs will be created as required to leverage partner expertise and to execute activities around specific objectives in the partnership strategy and operational plan.
Member organizations of GONE
More
than 70 organizations, including health ministries of endemic countries,
non-governmental organizations, research institutes and foundations, have
joined the GONE network to date engaging in a range of network activities
contributing to GONE’s objectives.
Join us/membership
If
your organization is interested in learning more about becoming a member
organization of GONE or if you want to join the GONE network as an individual,
please contact us at rozendaaln@who.int.
Resources and news
WHO publications
All →
Scoping the needs and gaps of endemic countries in the onchocerciasis elimination programme: findings...
Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 (“the road map”)...
Work in progress
- Report on the seventh meeting of the Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Subgroup (OTS)
- Onchocerciasis elimination mapping: a manual for national elimination programmes
- Integrating the assessment of onchocerciasis into a lymphatic filariasis transmission assessment survey (iTAS): A manual for national elimination programmes
- Coordinated action to eliminate onchocerciasis: a handbook for national onchocerciasis elimination and expert advisory committees (NOECs) in Africa
- A mapping and treatment delivery strategy for onchocerciasis in loiasis co-endemic settings (a meeting in being planned in August 2024 to start drafting this future tool)
- Moxidectin guidelines for Onchocerciasis and LF treatment
External publications
GONE to combat onchocerciasis
Reaching the Criteria to Stop Onchocerciasis Mass Drug Administration: Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda Pave the Way
Transforming WHO Recommendations into Practice
A new key-player for onchocerciasis elimination
Latest news
All →About Onchocerciasis
Webinar reports
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Summary of presentations and discussions of GONE webinar: Togo on its path towards the elimination of...
Togo has become a global leader in reaching key milestones for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as evidenced by the elimination of dracunculiasis in...
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Summary of presentations and discussions of GONE webinar: country progress towards NTDs 2030 road map...
Ghana is situated on the west coast of Africa and bordered by Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. The country has a population of...
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