The WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) manages a diverse portfolio of around twenty groups of diseases, each with its own unique epidemiology and diagnostic challenges. Programmes to address each of these diseases have
different targets according to the particular disease’s profile: control, elimination as a public health problem, elimination of transmission, or eradication. These programmatic targets may also change over time as new tools are developed and
global attention brings in increased support.
In spite of the diversity of disease programme goals, it was felt that there were common areas across programmes that would benefit from the establishment of a single working group for diagnostics. The Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group (DTAG) was formed
to mould a unified approach for identifying and prioritizing diagnostic needs, and to inform WHO strategies and guidance on diagnostics.
The first meeting of DTAG was held at the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2019, the second took place virtually in October 2020, the third in June 2021 and the fourth in October 2021.
Several disease-specific and cross-cutting DTAG sub-groups have been formed, resulting in the production of TPPs, some of which have been published, and some of which are in production.
WHO/NTD will convene the Fifth DTAG meeting on 8th & 9th November 2022.
- Open Session: 8th November 2022 2pm-5pm CEST
- Closed Session: 9th November 2022 2pm-5pm CEST
The following objectives across the end-to-end process of diagnostic development which will include:
- To hear updates from disease-specific subgroups and TPP production
- To discuss progress made by the cross-cutting and resource mobilization subgroups
- To discuss regulatory issues including the Expert Review Panel for Diagnostics (ERPD) NTD pilot
- To discuss advocacy and resource mobilization
- To discuss engagement of manufacturers and developers