The meeting was an opportunity to present an update on the GTFCC activities, including the research agenda and the implementation of the ‘Ending Cholera Roadmap’ at the country level. In this context, the group also discussed evidence-based standards in the management of cholera patients and how the Case Management Working Group can best support countries in implementing the Roadmap.
Other important objectives covered during this meeting were:
- new training and case management tools and an agreement on a dissemination strategy
- a review of Rapid Response Teams during cholera outbreaks and the lessons learned
- an update on the treatment of cholera in patients with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
- opportunities for coordination with other GTFCC Working Groups, including areas requiring the development of technical guidance.
Over the two-day meeting, presentations were made by key scientists and thought leaders involved in the fight against cholera, notably:
- Md Iqbal Hossain, from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, chaired the meeting as leader of the Case Management Working Group,
- Wiseman Chimwaza, from the Ministry of Health of Malawi, provided an update on the Cholera Response Manual for Health Care Workers in his country,
- Iza Ciglenecki, from Médecins Sans Frontières, spoke about MSF’s experience with cholera and pregnancy and presented draft guidelines.