Stakeholders Meeting on the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and Trachoma and the Control of Helminthiasis

Melia Hotel, Hanoi
September 8, 2011

Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuyen, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health;

Representatives from the National Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE), the National Institute of Ophthalmology and other representatives from the Government of Vietnam;

Provincial and district health representatives;

Ladies and gentlemen;

Xin Chao.

It is a pleasure to participate in the opening of this stakeholders meeting on trachoma, soil-transmitted helminthes and lymphatic filariasis.  Globally, an estimated one billion people are affected by one or more of these diseases.  Left unchecked, they disproportionately impact poor and rural populations who lack access to safe water, sanitation, and essential medicines.  The U.S. Government’s support of Vietnam’s efforts in this area complements our ongoing support to Vietnam’s HIV/AIDS, and Avian and Pandemic Influenza programs.

I compliment the Government and people of Vietnam on your success in dramatically decreasing the prevalence of trachoma, soil-transmitted helminthes and lymphatic filariasis through concerted efforts to prevent their spread, treat those suffering from disease and through improvements in overall living standards.

The U.S. Government is pleased to support the Ministry of Health as Vietnam prepares to take the final steps in confirming that lymphatic filariasis has been eliminated, and to support the national de-worming program and strengthen capacity for a coordinated response.  Most importantly, I am pleased that the USAID-funded project will work with the Government of Vietnam as you share your success with other countries struggling to control and eliminate these devastating diseases.  Vietnam has made impressive achievements in controlling neglected tropical diseases – this success can and must be documented and shared to help other countries achieve similar results.

In closing, I thank the Government of Vietnam, particularly the Ministry of Health’s National Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology, for organizing this meeting, and I look forward to continued collaboration as Vietnam sets out to achieve an effective, coordinated response to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases.  Thank you very much. I wish you all a  productive conference.