Canadian Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases Blog: June 7, 2025

Spring in Ottawa Brings Seasoned Experts Together to Integrate FGS into Health Programs in Africa

This spring (the week of May 26th), The Threads Lab at the Bruyère Health Research Institute (BHRI) and the University of Ottawa had the privilege of hosting international experts on Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in Ottawa for a week of strategy and advocacy focused meetings. International participants included representatives from the Ghana Health Services, Association K’Ola Vanona (Madagascar), University of Health and Allied Sciences (Ghana), Jimma University (Ethiopia) and Bridges to Development.

The first set of meetings focused on sustaining the progress made by the FAST Package project (FGS Accelerated Scale Together) which considers a holistic approach to address FGS through the health system in Ghana, Ethiopia and Madagascar. This project was first funded in Ghana and Madagascar from 2020-2022 by Grand Challenges Canada (which funds bold ideas with local solutions for global impact’). It was later expanded to include Ethiopia and additional sites in Madagascar with funding from The End Fund (2023-2025).

Part of the weeklong meetings included a workshop with Canadian civil society organizations (CSOs). Together with the Canadian Network for NTDs, the Threads Lab co-hosted a day session on Integrating Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) into existing nutrition, health and development programs. Twenty-five people from Canadian and international CSOs joined in-person at the Collaboration Center while 25 additional professionals joined online for the hybrid morning session. Expertise in this diverse group of people ranged from implementing health advocacy, gender equity and inclusion, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and health-system strengthening. Some participants were new to FGS, while others had previous experience integrating FGS into their health programming. DNDi and Global Affairs Canada were also present at the workshop and made valuable contributions to discussions. By the end of the session, participants had learned from each other, and were motivated to integrate FGS into the work that they do, with a better understanding of its value for the health of women and girls.

To connect health programs to policy action, the international visitors were invited to brief the Honourable Senators Stan Kutcher, Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia and Peter M. Boehm at the Senate of Canada on the current state of NTD control and elimination. Specifically, experts highlighted the impact of the USAID funding cuts to the delivery of preventive chemotherapy for NTDs, noting that 140 million people would not receive their annual doses unless immediate measures were taken to distribute the donated drugs already in country. In addition, the longer-term sequelae of some NTDs risk leaving people with a lifetime of disability and poor health. Specifically, the team highlighted FGS as a critically neglected and underinvested issue affecting the health of up to an estimated 56 million women and girls in Africa. This disease increases the risk of HIV by up to 3 times and also increases the risk of HPV infection, making the integration of its prevention and treatment a keystone to achieving SRHR in communities at risk. The Senators had many questions around point-of-care diagnostics available for FGS; current barriers to providing prevention and treatment for women and girls affected; and MGS – the male version of genital schistosomiasis. There were also questions about the broader policy environment in which NTDs are positioned and the deep impact of the US cuts to aid on critical NTD programs.

Senator Kutcher delivered a powerful three-minute statement in the Senate on the importance of Canadian engagement and investment in NTDs, noting that “Canada and other like-minded nations must step up to end NTDs…We have an opportunity to show global leadership in the fight against NTDs. Let us not stop this race within meters of the finish line…Global health security and a better future for millions” awaits.