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ARCHIVES 2005

PacELF Calendars for 2006 printed and mailed to PacELF families with Christmas card

PacELF Office printed and mailed calendars for the year 2006 with Christmas cards to PacELF families on 6^th December 2005.

Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) distribution in Fiji is ongoing now

As part of the Fiji bednet research project, the Ministry of Health in Fiji has started to distribute the Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) such as Olysetnets and Permanets in November 2005. Volunteers and Ministry of Health workers have been visiting house to house in the Rewa Division, informing members of households of the proper methods of using the nets with Information Education Communicating (IEC) materials. See photos below:

Mosquito newsletter page

The mosquito newsletter page is now open in the PacELF website. Please enter to find information on updated news and research.

Mosquito net posters and leaflets

PacELF designed and printed Information Education Communicating (IEC) materials for Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs). As part of the Fiji bednet research project, these IEC materials will be distributed with the mosquito nets to inform members of households of the proper methods of using the nets. The Olysetnets and Permanets are scheduled for distribution in Fiji in November 2005.

Olyset flyer	Permanet flyer	Olyset leaflet	Permanet leaflet

The MDA in American Samoa has started in September 2005.

Over 70 health workers attended the training and distributed the tablets throughout the territory. Again, the program has collaborated with the churches to distribute tablets after services. The workers also gave out Albendazole and DEC at schools, government offices and at special promotional events as shown in the photo at the Laufou shopping Centre in Nu’uuli. (Article by Jonathan King, CDC)

MDA in Fiji

Fiji’s 4^th round of MDA has started in September 2005. Ministry of Health staff and nurses set up booths in the capital of Suva and distributed Albendazole and DEC to factories, every work place, villages and promotional events such as the Suva on Sale and also the Fiji Day Celebrations held at the Albert Park.

The Seventh Annual Meeting of Pacific for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis

The Seventh Annual PacELF Workshop met in Suva, Fiji from 22 to 26 August 2005. Thirteen Pacific Countries reported on their LF elimination activities and updates were provided by PacELF, Mekong Plus, Global ELF, and TAG. Other presentations were done on monitoring and evaluation, cost analysis, morbidity control, helminth and dengue control, and advocacy and promotion.

The featured presentation was by Dr Jeffrey Hii on Mosquito control. This included a field trip to Mataika House for practical training. The main topic of discussion was decision-making for post-MDA 5 actions. During the week there were many evening events including skits from discussion groups, songs by country groups (Polynesia, Melanesia, etc.), and performances by the PacELF Paradise Singers.

Arrival of a New Volunteer On 15^th August a new volunteer joined the PacELF team. Ms. Tina James is with the U.S. Peace Corps.
	Tina James

GAELF4 meeting page launches in the PacELF web-site

The 4th meeting of the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF4) will be held in Nadi, Fiji from 29^th to 31^st March 2006. The page of GAELF4 is now open in the PacELF web-site (www.pacelf.org/gaelf4meeting.html) It shows the progressive planning for the GAELF4 meeting. Please click and find out more details which will be updated regularly.
	GAELF4 meeting page

The joint Local Organizing Committee for GAELF4 meeting with Global Alliance Executive Group during PacELF meeting on 26th August

Planning for the GAELF4 is progressing well and invitations to delegates are scheduled in about a month’s time. Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Dr Lepani Waqatakirewa reported that a draft agenda for the meeting has been received from the Executive Group (EG) and this will be discussed in a joint meeting between the LOC and EG later this month.

“The Chairman of the EG, Dr. Yankun Dadzie will be in Fiji to attend the PacELF Workshop from August 22nd to August 26th and this will enable us to consider the meeting’s agenda including speakers and the objectives and outcomes of the meeting,” he said.

The venue of GAELF4 meeting:
The Warwick Fij

The handing over of PacELF support by the Embassy of Japan in Fiji

The handing over ceremony held on 23 May 2005 in Mataika House (Fiji Centre for Communicable Disease Control), Fiji. PacELF office has received spray machines, mosquito nets and Information, Communication and Educating (IEC) materials to “the project for increasing awareness of PacELF”.
	PacELF office received spray machines, mosquito nets and IEC materials

A Workshop was held for Fiji bednet research project

A workshop for Fiji bednet research project was held on 24 and 25 May with Dr. Jeffery Hii (Scientist, WHO). The programme of workshop was included in assembly of monitoring trap for mosquitoes (called BG-Sentinel Trap), identification of adult mosquitoes and introduction to Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs).
	Participants of the workshop for bednet research project

Changes in names of Filariasis mosquito vectors

There was recently a lot of discussion on PacNet about the “elimination” of Aedes aegypti and Aedes polynesiensis. These important vectors of dengue and filariasis have not disappeared. Instead a study of mosquitoes (by Reinert, Harbach and Kitching) examined characters in all the life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) and suggested that there are possibly 46 different genera within what we have formerly known as the genus Aedes. Name changes for mosquitoes have occurred many times before. Several years ago, this same group of scientists renamed Aedes vigilax as Ochlerotatus vigilax. The new names of Aedes aegypti and Aedes polynesiensis have been proposed as Stegomyia aegypti and Stegomyia polynesiensis. The mosquito that we have known as Aedes aegypti was formerly known as Culex aegypti and Stegomyia aegypti.

Aedes polynesiensis

Acceptance of these proposed name changes is still being discussed among entomologists and we will probably see “Aedes polynesiensis” referred to sometimes as Aedes polynesiensis or as Stegomyia polynesiensis. What has not changed is the importance of protecting ourselves from the bites of these mosquitoes.

(Article from Dr. Thomas Burkot, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

New technical name for Mataika House of Fiji Ministry of Health

Fiji Centre for
Communicable Disease Control
(Mataika House)

This complex was officially opend
by Dr Shigeru Omi
WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
on 2^nd December, 1999

The Ministry of Health has endorsed that the technical name for Mataika House (formerly known as National Centre for Scientific Services on Virology and Vector Borne Diseases) shall be the Fiji Centre for Communicable Disease Control from 9^th February 2005. This aligns itself with the new focus of Mataika House. The vision is a Centre of Excellence for the control of communicable diseases and the mission is to promote and provide quality public health services for Fiji and the region. It has moved away from the initial focus on vector-borne disease prevention and control.

The contact details and address remain unchanged.

(Article from Dr. Josefa Koroivueta, Chief Medical Officer, Fiji Centre for Communicable Disease Control)

Monitoring and Evaluation meeting held in Atlanta on 21-24 March 2005

Samoa has completed its C-Survey and we are currently finalising the analysis of the survey results. I had the privilege to accompany Dr Ichimori at the Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Group meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia from the 21-24 March 2005. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss monitoring activities for PacELF in Pacific island countries, which have completed 5 rounds of MDA (Samoa and Vanuatu). Recommendations from the meeting have yet to be finalised after much deliberations and discussion of the Samoa and Vanuatu data.

I would like to thank Dr Eric Ottersen and Dr Ichimori for the invitation and subsequent exceptional and rewarding experience. See photo below.
(Article from Ms Fuatai Maiava, National Project Coordinator of Samoa)


Ms Fuatai Maiava (on left)	M & E Meeting in Atlanta

The Meeting of Ministers of Health for the Pacific Countries held in Apia, 14-17 March 2005


PacELF display at the meeting	The Health Ministers’ Meeting

Dr Shigeru Omi, Regional Director of WPRO stated Samoa’s MDA in his speech at the Meeting of Ministers of Health for the Pacific Island Countries. Please refer to WPRO website.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work that the Honourable Minister of Health for Samoa and his team are doing for the Samoan people in eliminating filariasis from your country. Samoa is to be congratulated for being the first country in the Pacific to successfully complete five rounds of Mass Drug Administration.”

Dr Solomoni Naivalu, Minister for Health, Fiji addressed the official statement for “the 4^th Meeting of Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF4) in Fiji, 2006”.

The Official Statement

I warmly invite all the Pacific Island Ministers for Health to GAELF 4 to celebrate the Pacific success in this elimination initiative in Fiji.

May I request all PacELF member countries to provide support to the GAELF 4 by supporting costs for the participation and attendance of their Hon Ministers for Health. Fiji does not intend to seek monetary contributions from PacELF member countries for GAELF 4.

May I invite too the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region to the inaugural convention as it in our region where most endemic countries reside.

Strong advocacy to all stakeholders to ensure that the Pacific stages the global forum with excellence and with real Pacific Environments.

Invite the closer partnership collaboration with WHO and SPC in this regard.

As Minister for Health, I look forward to welcoming you on this auspicious occasion in 2006

The Fourth Meeting of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF4) Greetings From PacELF Ni Sa Bula or greetings to our colleagues in the Pacific as well as our partners in the far flung regions of Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, Mekong Plus, Indian Sub-continent and Americas, who are engaged in the campaign to control and eradicate lymphatic filariasis. Following the decision for Fiji to host our next conference in 2006, we have been busy in establishing a good planning base to ensure that this important meeting will be both successful and enjoyable. Organizing Committee We now have in place a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chaired by the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health, Dr.Lepani Waqatairewa with members who include the WHO Representative in South Pacific, Dr.Chen Ken, PacELF Team Leader, Dr. Kazuyo Ichimori, Project Coordinators, Mr.Sitiveni Yaqona and Mrs. Maca Colata and myself. Conference Dates & Workshop After much deliberation and discussion with members of the Executive Group, it has been decided to hold the conference from the Wednesday, the 29^th of March through to Friday, the 31^st of March 2006. Government Support Our Minister of Health, the Hon. Solomoni Naivalu, in a meeting with the LOC just this week, reiterated Government support for GAELF4 and more especially the core objectives of the conference to eradicate the scourge of lymphatic filariasis on a global basis by 2020. Contact With LOC The success of GAELF4 will depend largely on meticulous and creative planning by the LOC but you can also help us by sending suggestions, based on your experience of GAELF3, that can improve any facet of the conference in 2006. The email contact you can use for this purpose is pacga4@healthfiji.gov.fj Your organizing committee for GAELF4 wishes you continuing progress and success in the campaign against lymphatic filariasis and look forward to hearing your story in March of 2006. Dr Josefa Koroivueta President, Pacific Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis
Mid Term Evaluation in Fiji has started in February 2005 Fiji has started their Mid term evaluation after the 3^rd round of MDA.
PacELF office has received the Japanese GGP fund PacELF office has received Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Project (GGP) funds to “the Project for Increasing Awareness of PacELF”. The contract of GGP project has signed between Mr Kenro Iino, Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in Fiji and Dr Josefa Koroivueta, PacELF / PacCARE chairman on 25 Jan. 2005.

December 2004 to January 2005

Established an office for the GAELF4 local secretariat office in Mataika House, Fiji In preparation for the 4th meeting of the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF4)in Fiji (March 2006), the local organising committee (PacELF, WHO and MoH Fiji), established an office for GAELF4 local secretariat in Mataika House. Mr Steve Yaqona, GAELF 4 Project Manager, was recruited on 17/1/2005. Steve brings to us a wealth of experience and expertise in international tourism, marketing, and executive background (7 years as CEO for Fiji Visitors Bureau). He will be our project coordinator in the ensuring that GAELF 4 is staged with excellence. Fiji is hosting GAELF 4 on behalf of PacELF member countries.
Contact details: Tel: +679 3320 066 ext 102 Fax: +679 3320 344/3323 341/3323 276 Email:PacGA4@healthfiji.gov.fj
New Annual Report form for Lymphatic Filariasis PacELF office received new “Annual Report for the National Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (Latest revision December 2004)”. We sent this new form to MDA countries by Email, please fill in this form and send it back to PacELF office by 18 February 2005.

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