Resources

The first issue in a multipart publication series that leverages PATH’s Installed Base and Forecasting Model to assess the global market for cold chain equipment innovations, this forecast focuses on passive freeze-safe vaccine carriers that can reduce vaccine product exposure to freezing temperatures during transportation and outreach in low-resource settings.

This fact sheet describes PATH’s work with partners and countries to address and improve menstrual health in low-resource settings by identifying affordable and appropriate menstrual care products, increasing education and awareness, and advocating for further investment.

These guidelines are designed for policymakers and program planners wishing to implement a quality assurance program for serological tests detecting IgG4 antibodies specific to the Ov16 antigen from Onchocerca volvulus. They describe some important basic principles and the main practical aspects of a quality assurance program. The objectives of a quality assurance program are discussed in this document. It is now widely accepted that quality assurance, quality control, and quality assessment constitute an essential part of testing programs and of diagnostic testing in general.The availability of Ov16 rapid tests does not automatically guarantee high-quality results. Many steps are involved between selecting a test, how and when testing will occur, conducting the test, reporting results, and how the results are used to inform control and elimination programs. At each step in the process, there is the potential that something can go wrong. Therefore, onchocerciasis control and elimination programs should ensure that sufficient support is made available to provide a suitable program to monitor and, if necessary, improve the quality of testing. A well-functioning program is an important step toward achieving highquality testing results and eventual elimination of onchocerciasis.As of the publication date of this document, only one rapid test serology for detection of IgG4 antibodies specific to Ov16 antigen exists: Alere SD BIOLINE Onchocerciasis IgG4 Rapid Test.

These key messages for policy- and decision-makers explain why next-generation immunization supply chains are needed to fulfill global health goals. They are intended to unite stakeholders in a common language around supply chain strengthening and may be used freely by partners when communicating about immunization supply chain issues and solutions.

Critical gains in maternal, newborn, and child health across the globe during the past two decades provide inspiration for achieving the new vision set out through the recently ratified Sustainable Development Goals. These goals, combined with the launch of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health, embolden PATH to do even more to accelerate innovation to achieve the world we aspire to live in—a world where all women, newborns, children, and adolescents enjoy healthy and productive lives.