EXPAND Chad - Expanding NTD and COVID-19 control to mobile pastoralists in Chad

The EXPAND project aims to expanding neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and COVID-19 surveillance and control to mobile pastoralists in Chad through the establishment of integrated surveillance and access to health information and services. It also works towards the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and NTDs in the mobile pastoralist populations. Funding is provided by the ASCEND Learning and Innovation Fund, sponsored by FCDO (previously DfID). The project will raise awareness about hygiene behaviour and infectious diseases symptoms, facilitate disease surveillance through simple reporting mechanisms and establish permanent access to the mobile pastoralist population by training community volunteers who serve as points of contact. While the whole community will profit from the intervention through health education, surveillance and healthier animals, the project also ensures that access to diagnostic and health services is particularly available for children and women, the most vulnerable groups within these communities.