In many parts of Africa and the Middle East, people living with Elephantiasis (Lymphatic Filariasis) endure more than just swollen limbs. The constant pain, recurring infections, and high fevers make even the simplest tasks a struggle. But beyond the physical toll, stigma isolates them as many are unable to work, shunned by their communities, and left feeling like outcasts. Today, 240 million people remain at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis, with 30 million already affected.
The same is true for those with River Blindness (Onchocerciasis). The relentless itching, severe skin damage, and gradual loss of sight strip people of their independence. In Yemen alone, over 528,000 people across eight governorates remain vulnerable not just to blindness, but also to losing their livelihoods, mobility, and dignity.
As these diseases persist, the urgency to protect vulnerable populations grows. In response, the Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) was launched in 2017 to end these neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Through funding from the Gates Foundation and RLMF Donor group, Solina Health established and coordinated the Technical Review Panel (TRP)—a team of experts from Africa and the United Kingdom with deep knowledge in public health, epidemiology, and neglected tropical diseases. The goal was to ensure that country-led elimination programs were well-designed, effective, and impactful.
The TRP conducted independent reviews of work plans from 26 countries across North, West, Central, and East Africa. These reviews provided critical insights that shaped funding decisions, ensuring resources reached the areas of greatest need.
Beyond reviewing plans, Solina Health helped build strong systems to accelerate disease elimination. Key efforts included:
- Expert Selection: Onboarded top SMEs through a rigorous process, prioritizing deep NTD experience across Africa and Asia.
- Tailored Review Rubric: Developed a quantitative, color-coded rubric to evaluate work plans and budgets across four major sections: project overview, program activities and milestones, risks, assumptions and potential challenges and the budget review.
- Dual Independent Reviews: Each country’s submission was assessed by two SMEs, with direct feedback loops to country teams to clarify gaps. The clarifying questions and feedback from the countries were across six critical themes: planning, data accuracy, budgeting & sustainability, monitoring & evaluation, risk management, and case management
- Evidence-Based Recommendations: Final funding advice to RLMF was built on these independent ratings, detailed feedback, and alignment with elimination priorities.
By ensuring transparent funding and evidence-based strategies, SCIDaR and its partners are making steady progress toward eliminating these diseases.
