The Defeating Meningitis by 2030 global road map and the PAHO’s implementation framework propose an approach to reduce the burden of meningitis through concerted actions across five interconnected pillars:
(1 Prevention and epidemic control. 2 Diagnosis and treatment. 3 Disease surveillance. 4 Support and care for people affected by meningitis. 5 Advocacy and engagement.)
The five pillars are interconnected, and their beneficial outputs build upon each other. For example, improved disease surveillance (pillar 3) will lead to: earlier diagnostic and treatment (pillar 2), earlier detection of epidemics and response to meningitis outbreaks (pillar 1), better data to guide the design of prevention, support, and communication programs (cross-cutting); and better documentation of the high burden of sequelae (pillar 4 and pillar 5).
PAHO is at the forefront of advancing the global roadmap for defeating meningitis, with several countries in the Americas actively developing their national meningitis plans. Building on the momentum of the forthcoming WHO guidelines on meningitis diagnosis, treatment, and care, which are set to be published in early 2025, PAHO, in close collaboration with WHO HQ, is organizing a three-day workshop.
This event will bring together representatives from approximately ten Caribbean countries to identify gaps and opportunities for implementing Pillars 2 (Diagnosis and Treatment) and Pillar 4 (Care for People Affected by Meningitis). Additionally, it will explore how these pillars integrate within broader, comprehensive national plans to reduce the burden of meningitis and its long-term consequences. During the workshop, countries will initiate or continue identifying key activities that can be implemented under these two pillars, laying the groundwork for more comprehensive national meningitis action plans.
The workshop will also address opportunities for integration with the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders, ensuring that meningitis-related actions are aligned with broader neurological care initiatives.
Objective
Accelerating the implementation of PAHO's roadmap for Defeating Meningitis by 2030 with a focus on Pillars 2 and 4, and the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders in the region of the Americas, more specifically.
Expected outcomes
- Increased Knowledge:
- Increased understanding of the importance of early diagnosis and prompt quality treatment to reduce the burden of meningitis.
- Raising awareness of the needs of meningitis survivors, promoting inclusive and accessible care, and integrating these priorities into the broader roadmap for defeating meningitis by 2030.
- Increased understanding of the IGAP and the progress and challenges countries face with implementing the ten targets of the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and that other neurological disorders are understood.
- Situation analysis and mapping of current gaps in meningitis diagnosis, treatment, and care capacities and guidelines in participating countries.
- Regional Considerations for Pillar 2 (Diagnosis and Treatment): Recommendations/strategies for countries to enhance diagnostic capacities, case management, and treatment, including adapting WHO guidelines, training, and resource allocation.
- Regional Considerations for Pillar 4 (Support and Care for Survivors): Recommendations/strategies to improve the long-term care of meningitis survivors, focusing on disability management, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support.
- Mapping opportunities and synergies to showcase the impact of meningitis national plans beyond reducing the burden of the disease, including integration with IGAP, the health system as a whole, and other social and economic outcomes. (national and regional)
- High-level outline for national meningitis plan pillars 2 and 4: identifying key areas of action/activities to strengthen meningitis diagnosis, treatment and support, and care for people affected by meningitis. (per country, time allowing)
- Way forward to engage further national stakeholders in developing a national meningitis plan (and/or inter-country work) based on situational analysis. (per country)
