Mectizan Donation Program
@mectizan.bsky.social
MDP, a program at the Task Force for Global Health, oversees the donation of Mectizan for river blindness, and Mectizan and albendazole for lymphatic filariasis elimination. #beatNTDs #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF
Merck remembers Dr. William Foege, the first chair of the Mectizan Expert Committee
Merck remembers Dr. William Foege, Architect of Early Mectizan® Delivery Efforts - Merck.com
RAHWAY, N.J., Feb. 3, 2025 –Dr. William (Bill) Foege, who passed away on January 24, 2026, was a visionary in disease eradication and a global health champion. Dr. Foege was instrumental in the early ...
www.merck.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Merck remembers Dr. William Foege, the first chair of the Mectizan Expert Committee
Reposted by Mectizan Donation Program
This powerful @nytimes.com story by @stephanienolen.bsky.social features @taskforce.bsky.social
Director Dr. Pat Lammie's perspective on the future of NTD elimination. Read why partnerships and sustained investment are critical to preserving the gains we've made. #beatNTDs nyti.ms/4tvF4TE
Director Dr. Pat Lammie's perspective on the future of NTD elimination. Read why partnerships and sustained investment are critical to preserving the gains we've made. #beatNTDs nyti.ms/4tvF4TE
nyti.ms
February 3, 2026 at 9:05 PM
This powerful @nytimes.com story by @stephanienolen.bsky.social features @taskforce.bsky.social
Director Dr. Pat Lammie's perspective on the future of NTD elimination. Read why partnerships and sustained investment are critical to preserving the gains we've made. #beatNTDs nyti.ms/4tvF4TE
Director Dr. Pat Lammie's perspective on the future of NTD elimination. Read why partnerships and sustained investment are critical to preserving the gains we've made. #beatNTDs nyti.ms/4tvF4TE
#WorldNTDDay 🌍 Local power leads to global change. Community drug distributors work hard to ensure everyone in their communities is reached to achieve the high treatment coverage necessary to eliminate river blindness & lymphatic filariasis #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs
January 30, 2026 at 10:10 PM
#WorldNTDDay 🌍 Local power leads to global change. Community drug distributors work hard to ensure everyone in their communities is reached to achieve the high treatment coverage necessary to eliminate river blindness & lymphatic filariasis #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs
On World NTD Day, we celebrate the quiet, historic progress made against neglected tropical diseases. To learn more, check out this data visualization from @TheENDFund about the neglect that has produced a profound modern public health crisis.
https://endfund.org/visualizing-neglect/
https://endfund.org/visualizing-neglect/
Visualizing Neglect - The END Fund
NTDs threaten 1.5 billion people globally. Explore 20 years of data on 6 neglected tropical diseases across 31 countries—and the progress toward elimination.
endfund.org
January 30, 2026 at 8:45 PM
On World NTD Day, we celebrate the quiet, historic progress made against neglected tropical diseases. To learn more, check out this data visualization from @TheENDFund about the neglect that has produced a profound modern public health crisis.
https://endfund.org/visualizing-neglect/
https://endfund.org/visualizing-neglect/
#WorldNTDDay🌍 River blindness & lymphatic filariasis cause immense suffering for millions, but elimination is possible with sustained treatment. In 2025 🇳🇪Niger became the 1st country in Africa to eliminate river blindness, an incredible milestone offering hope to other countries working to #beatNTDs
January 30, 2026 at 4:08 PM
#WorldNTDDay🌍 River blindness & lymphatic filariasis cause immense suffering for millions, but elimination is possible with sustained treatment. In 2025 🇳🇪Niger became the 1st country in Africa to eliminate river blindness, an incredible milestone offering hope to other countries working to #beatNTDs
#WorldNTDDay 🌍 In 2025 we marked 5 billion Mectizan treatments donated…and counting. This progress against river blindness and lymphatic filariasis is only achievable thanks to the steadfast support of our partners. Together we will #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs
January 30, 2026 at 1:01 PM
#WorldNTDDay 🌍 In 2025 we marked 5 billion Mectizan treatments donated…and counting. This progress against river blindness and lymphatic filariasis is only achievable thanks to the steadfast support of our partners. Together we will #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs
@who.int : 🇳🇵Nepal is accelerating its drive to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem by 2030 #eliminateLF #beatNTDs www.who.int/nepal/news/d...
MDA campaign launched in four districts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis
Nepal is accelerating its drive to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) as a public health problem by 2030. Of the country’s 64 endemic districts, 57 have already stopped the Mass Drug Administration (...
www.who.int
January 27, 2026 at 2:40 PM
@who.int : 🇳🇵Nepal is accelerating its drive to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem by 2030 #eliminateLF #beatNTDs www.who.int/nepal/news/d...
Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Bill Foege, first chair of the Mectizan Expert Committee and legendary global health leader. His vision led the Mectizan Donation Program to a reality now reaching millions of people. #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs
Learn more:
https://bit.ly/4q49tp8
Learn more:
https://bit.ly/4q49tp8
Remembering Dr. William H. Foege – Mectizan Donation Program
Remembering Dr. Bill Foege 1936-2026 The Mectizan Donation Program joins the global health community in mourning the loss of Dr. William (Bill) Foege, who passed away on January 24, 2026. Following th...
mectizan.org
January 26, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Bill Foege, first chair of the Mectizan Expert Committee and legendary global health leader. His vision led the Mectizan Donation Program to a reality now reaching millions of people. #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs
Learn more:
https://bit.ly/4q49tp8
Learn more:
https://bit.ly/4q49tp8
🇮🇳 Odisha gears up for MDA to eliminate lymphatic filariasis #beatNTDs #EliminateLF www.orissapost.com/odisha-gears...
Odisha gears up for MDA to eliminate lymphatic filariasis - OrissaPOST
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to meet the national target of eliminating lymphatic filariasis by 2027, the state government will conduct a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme from February 10 to 1...
www.orissapost.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:08 AM
🇮🇳 Odisha gears up for MDA to eliminate lymphatic filariasis #beatNTDs #EliminateLF www.orissapost.com/odisha-gears...
🇵🇬In Papua New Guinea, a campaign against lymphatic filariasis in East New Britain is being hailed as a success. @whowpro.bsky.social #BeatNTDs #EliminateLF
emtv.com.pg?p=242393
emtv.com.pg?p=242393
CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELEPHANTIASIS A SUCCESS IN EAST NEW BRITAIN PROVINCE — EMTV ONLINE
By Wasita Royal
emtv.com.pg
January 20, 2026 at 10:10 PM
🇵🇬In Papua New Guinea, a campaign against lymphatic filariasis in East New Britain is being hailed as a success. @whowpro.bsky.social #BeatNTDs #EliminateLF
emtv.com.pg?p=242393
emtv.com.pg?p=242393
Reposted by Mectizan Donation Program
✅ 2025: Victories for disease control! The world scored major victories for disease control and elimination.
🥳 Maldives became the first country to achieve “triple elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
🥳 Burundi, Egypt and Fiji eliminated trachoma.
🥳 Maldives became the first country to achieve “triple elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
🥳 Burundi, Egypt and Fiji eliminated trachoma.
December 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
✅ 2025: Victories for disease control! The world scored major victories for disease control and elimination.
🥳 Maldives became the first country to achieve “triple elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
🥳 Burundi, Egypt and Fiji eliminated trachoma.
🥳 Maldives became the first country to achieve “triple elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
🥳 Burundi, Egypt and Fiji eliminated trachoma.
Reposted by Mectizan Donation Program
🥳 Guinea and Kenya eliminated sleeping sickness.
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
Stronger together - milestones that mattered in 2025
Each year WHO takes stock of key moments in health and science over the past 12 months. Here is our review of a 2025 marked by immense achievements and profound challenges for global health.
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
🥳 Guinea and Kenya eliminated sleeping sickness.
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
🇲🇬Good news regarding the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Madagascar. #beatNTDs #EliminateLF
@who.int
@cartercenter.bsky.social
www.cartercenter.org/news/who-and...
@who.int
@cartercenter.bsky.social
www.cartercenter.org/news/who-and...
WHO and The Carter Center Join Forces to Accelerate the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Madagascar
The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Carter Center have signed a partnership agreement to collaborate on assistance to the Ministry of Health of Madagascar to further its efforts to reach elimi...
www.cartercenter.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:35 PM
🇲🇬Good news regarding the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Madagascar. #beatNTDs #EliminateLF
@who.int
@cartercenter.bsky.social
www.cartercenter.org/news/who-and...
@who.int
@cartercenter.bsky.social
www.cartercenter.org/news/who-and...
Reposted by Mectizan Donation Program
#ICYMI @npr.org shares the incredible progress Mali has made in fighting neglected tropical diseases — but now it is at risk due to US gov. funding cuts.
This work is important and why our work was selected for the @kristofimpact.bsky.social's #HolidayImpactPrize. 💜
Read more: vist.ly/4i5cj
This work is important and why our work was selected for the @kristofimpact.bsky.social's #HolidayImpactPrize. 💜
Read more: vist.ly/4i5cj
December 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
#ICYMI @npr.org shares the incredible progress Mali has made in fighting neglected tropical diseases — but now it is at risk due to US gov. funding cuts.
This work is important and why our work was selected for the @kristofimpact.bsky.social's #HolidayImpactPrize. 💜
Read more: vist.ly/4i5cj
This work is important and why our work was selected for the @kristofimpact.bsky.social's #HolidayImpactPrize. 💜
Read more: vist.ly/4i5cj
Reposted by Mectizan Donation Program
We are proud to announce that Helen Keller Intl has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 #HolidayImpactPrize by @kristofimpact.bsky.social. 🎉
Join us in celebrating this milestone and be part of the movement → www.helenkellerintl.org/KristofImpact (1/4)
Join us in celebrating this milestone and be part of the movement → www.helenkellerintl.org/KristofImpact (1/4)
November 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
We are proud to announce that Helen Keller Intl has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 #HolidayImpactPrize by @kristofimpact.bsky.social. 🎉
Join us in celebrating this milestone and be part of the movement → www.helenkellerintl.org/KristofImpact (1/4)
Join us in celebrating this milestone and be part of the movement → www.helenkellerintl.org/KristofImpact (1/4)
Reposted by Mectizan Donation Program
Despite carrying 40% of the global burden, India’s community-first approach, coupled with strong government coordination, is spurring progress toward a country free of lymphatic filariasis.
Fighting filariasis: India's grassroots approach to eliminating elephantiasis
Fighting filariasis: India's grassroots approach to eliminating elephantiasis
www.devex.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Despite carrying 40% of the global burden, India’s community-first approach, coupled with strong government coordination, is spurring progress toward a country free of lymphatic filariasis.
🇹🇿 "Clarer Mwansasu, NTD control programme manager in the Ministry of Health, said that by the end of 2024 Tanzania had reduced the number of people requiring anti-parasitic chemotherapy for NTDs by 76%." #beatNTDs @sightsavers.bsky.social @uniting.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Tanzania records gains in NTD prevention
Mass drug administration and community-led programmes have reduced infections of lymphatic filariasis, trachoma and onchocerciasis by more than 75%.
www.nature.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🇹🇿 "Clarer Mwansasu, NTD control programme manager in the Ministry of Health, said that by the end of 2024 Tanzania had reduced the number of people requiring anti-parasitic chemotherapy for NTDs by 76%." #beatNTDs @sightsavers.bsky.social @uniting.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 AM
In Merck’s press release, CEO Robert Davis comments:
“By extending our commitment, we aim to ensure that national LF elimination programs in endemic countries continue to have reliable access to the treatments needed to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen health systems."
“By extending our commitment, we aim to ensure that national LF elimination programs in endemic countries continue to have reliable access to the treatments needed to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen health systems."
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 AM
In Merck’s press release, CEO Robert Davis comments:
“By extending our commitment, we aim to ensure that national LF elimination programs in endemic countries continue to have reliable access to the treatments needed to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen health systems."
“By extending our commitment, we aim to ensure that national LF elimination programs in endemic countries continue to have reliable access to the treatments needed to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen health systems."
Merck will continue to donate up to 100 million Mectizan treatments annually through 2030 for co-administration with albendazole (donated by @GSK) and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) through the WHO’s recommended triple drug therapy strategy.
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Merck will continue to donate up to 100 million Mectizan treatments annually through 2030 for co-administration with albendazole (donated by @GSK) and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) through the WHO’s recommended triple drug therapy strategy.
The Mectizan Donation Program is pleased to share Merck's announcement that the donation of Mectizan to accelerate the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) will be extended through 2030 in alignment with the @who.int Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030 Road Map.
www.merck.com/news/merck-c...
www.merck.com/news/merck-c...
Merck Commemorates 5 Billion Mectizan® Treatments Donated Over 38 Years - Merck.com
Extension of Mectizan Donation for Triple Therapy Advances Fight Against Lymphatic Filariasis Through 2030 RAHWAY, N.J., November 17, 2025 – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United State...
www.merck.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 AM
The Mectizan Donation Program is pleased to share Merck's announcement that the donation of Mectizan to accelerate the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) will be extended through 2030 in alignment with the @who.int Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030 Road Map.
www.merck.com/news/merck-c...
www.merck.com/news/merck-c...
Celebrating 5️⃣ billion Mectizan treatments donated donated to fight river blindness & lymphatic filariasis. The 1987 donation by Merck sparked one of global health's most successful public-private partnerships. #beatNTDs #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF ⬇️ https://vimeo.com/1133144791?fl=pl&fe=sh
Five Billion Mectizan Treatments - The Power of Partnership
This year we are celebrating 5 billion Mectizan treatments donated for countries fighting river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. The 1987 donation of Mectizan…
vimeo.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Celebrating 5️⃣ billion Mectizan treatments donated donated to fight river blindness & lymphatic filariasis. The 1987 donation by Merck sparked one of global health's most successful public-private partnerships. #beatNTDs #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF ⬇️ https://vimeo.com/1133144791?fl=pl&fe=sh
Food for thought from @unicef.org , a partner in the campaign against river blindness in Nigeria. #StampOutOncho #beatNTDs
www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-bu...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-bu...
How Budgets Help Save Lives: Lessons from Nigeria’s Fight Against River Blindness
River blindness, with its black flies, larvae and worms, is one of those "I don’t really want to think about it" diseases. I get that, but stick with me for a minute.
www.linkedin.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Food for thought from @unicef.org , a partner in the campaign against river blindness in Nigeria. #StampOutOncho #beatNTDs
www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-bu...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-bu...
#GONE 's Dr. Maria Rebollo on NTDs in El País: “The priority should be for African governments to include them in their health agendas.” #beatNTDs #ceroETDs elpais.com/planeta-futu...
María Rebollo, experta en enfermedades tropicales desatendidas: “La prioridad sería que los gobiernos africanos las incluyan en sus agendas de salud”
La experta de la OMS en estas dolencias reclama advierte del “riesgo enorme” de no lograr los objetivos marcados para 2030 debido a los recortes de financiación
elpais.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
#GONE 's Dr. Maria Rebollo on NTDs in El País: “The priority should be for African governments to include them in their health agendas.” #beatNTDs #ceroETDs elpais.com/planeta-futu...
We're 38! In 1987 Merck & Co., Inc. announced the historic donation of Mectizan to end river blindness (LF was added in 1998). Today more than 5 billion treatments have been donated…and counting. Millions of people are no longer at risk. #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs 📸 Julio Johnson
October 21, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We're 38! In 1987 Merck & Co., Inc. announced the historic donation of Mectizan to end river blindness (LF was added in 1998). Today more than 5 billion treatments have been donated…and counting. Millions of people are no longer at risk. #StampOutOncho #EliminateLF #beatNTDs 📸 Julio Johnson