Key meeting in South Korea

IMA representatives discuss Neglected Tropical Diseases world-wide.

The Sixth Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) was held in Seoul, Korea on June 1-3 attended by 163 delegates from 44 countries. Dr. Sarla Chand, Vice President of International Programs, led the IMA delegation and was accompanied by Dr. Abdel Direny, IMA Haiti Representative, and Ann Varghese, Program Officer.

Dr. Direny was a featured presenter in the main conference session, highlighting the successes in Haiti since the start of the neglected tropical disease integration program in 2008, funded by USAID and led by IMA.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Direny emphasized the important decision to re-start the mass drug administration nationwide in April. This was only three months after the devastating earthquake which destroyed the capital city, Port au Prince, and surrounding areas.

‘It was wonderful to share experiences with all who work in the LF field,’ said Dr. Direny. ‘Participating in the conference gave me a great deal of motivation for what we are doing in Haiti.’