Defining the Noma Research Agenda
Swiss TPH Hybrid Symposium
20 September 2024
Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
Noma is a devastating disease that mainly affects children living in extreme poverty. If not treated at an early stage, up to nine in ten people die from noma. Those who survive often suffer life-long disabilities and stigma due to disfigurement.
Invisible for centuries, the World Health Organization officially recognised noma as a neglected tropical disease in December 2023. Using this momentum of increased global attention, we now want to bring together experts and stakeholders from different fields to set a common noma research agenda. Topics will include:
- Integration of noma surveillance and treatment in established disease control programmes
- Perspective of noma survivors in shaping research
- Noma surveillance and prevention, including the role of nutrition
- Population awareness and early detection
- Physical and mental well-being of people affected by noma
Join our symposium and help us unite efforts to better understand, prevent and treat noma.
The symposium is co-organised with Elysium, the first noma survivors’ association.
Programme
9:30 Registration and welcome coffee (9:55 virtual check-in)
| Moderator: Marianne Comparet, International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases | |
10:00 | Welcome and Setting the Stage, Anaïs Galli, Swiss TPH |
10:15 | The Role of Swiss Development Cooperation in Tackling NTDs, Erika Placella, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation |
10:30 | Two Decades of Noma Research and Where do We Stand Today, Denise Baratti-Mayer, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève |
10:50 | The Skin NTD Strategy of the WHO, TBA, World Health Organizataion |
11:05 | Panel: Survivors’ Perspectives, Fidel Strub and Mulikat Okanlawon, Elysium; Marta Ribes, Barcelona Institute for Global Health; Mark Sherlock, Médecins Sans Frontières; Claire Jeantet, Inediz |
| 11:50 | Introduction to Designing an NTD Research Agenda, Peter Steinmann, Swiss TPH |
| 12:00 | Lunch Break (60 minutes) |
13:00 | Break-out groups - brainstorming and drafting the agenda |
Insights into Noma for Newcomers, Denise Baratti-Mayer, Noma Expert (sr4 and streaming) | |
Noma Surveillance and Prevention, Mark Sherlock, Médecins Sans Frontières (sr5) | |
| Physical and Mental Well-being of People Affected by Noma, Emmanuel Kapengele, Université de Genève (sr6) | |
Noma Epistemology and Stages, TBA (mr241) | |
| Microbiological and Therapeutic Aspects of Noma, Philippe Guerrin, University of Oxford (mr291) | |
Re-constructive Noma Surgery, TBA (mr301) | |
| 14:45 | Coffee Break (30 minutes) |
| Moderators: Peter Steinmann, Swiss TPH | |
15:15 | The Way Forward: Brainstorming Outcomes and Discussion |
16:30 | Keynote, TBA |
16:45 | Closing Words, Jürg Utzinger, Swiss TPH |
17:00 | End of Event |
Information
When and where
| Date | Friday, 20 September 2024 |
| Time | 10:00 - 17:00 CEST |
| Venue | Swiss TPH Kreuzstrasse 2 4123 Allschwil Switzerland |
| Room | Seminar Room 4 |
Flyer
Speakers and Moderators
Marianne Comparet
Director, International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Jürg Utzinger
Director, Swiss TPH
Claire Jeantet
Filmmaker, Inediz / Consultant, Elysium Noma Survivors Association
Peter Steinmann
Unit Head, Diseases and Programmes, Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss TPH
Philippe J. Guerin
Director, Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, University of Oxford
Denise Baratti-Mayer
Associate Physician, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Fidel Strub
Director and Co-Founder, Elysium Noma Survivors Association
Marta Ribes
Pre-doctoral Fellow, Barcelona Institute for Global Health
Emmanuel Kapengele
Head of Health and Human Rights, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva
Mark Sherlock
Health Programs Manager, Médecins Sans Frontières
Mulikat Okanlawon
President and Co-Founder, Elysium Noma Survivors Association
Anaïs Galli
PhD Candidate, Water Security and Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss TPH