Opening of the 37th ISCTRC Conference and Global Commitments to Eliminate Trypanosomiasis

The 37th ISCTRC Conference was officially opened by Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary, who celebrated Kenya’s recent milestone of being validated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as having eliminated Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) as a public health problem. He commended the joint efforts of government ministries, livestock keepers, researchers, and development partners in achieving this success, but reminded delegates that the challenge remains a continental one. He therefore called for greater collaboration across African countries and the adoption of data-driven innovations to accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease, linking these ambitions to Africa’s food security, economic growth, and Agenda 2063 aspirations.

The opening session was also graced by senior Kenyan officials, including Hon. Jonathan Mueke, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Livestock Development reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to advancing animal and public health systems. Also in attendance were Dr. Geoffrey Muttai, Chairman of the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC), and Prof. Joseph Ndung’u, Chairman of ISCTRC, both of whom underscored the importance of sustained institutional leadership in combating the disease.

In her keynote address, Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, reinforced the urgency of tackling trypanosomiasis, describing it as a “systems disease” that undermines human health, animal productivity, and rural livelihoods simultaneously. She emphasised that only an integrated One Health approach can deliver sustainable solutions. To this end, she announced the launch of the African Union Digital One Health Platform (AU-DOHP), a transformative tool designed to enhance surveillance, vector mapping, and cross-sector coordination across the continent.

The session also featured presentations from major international organisations. FAO/PAAT showcased its Progressive Control Pathway and atlas of tsetse distribution; WHO emphasised validation milestones toward HAT elimination; WOAH underscored its global standards, surveillance, and vaccine research; and the IAEA highlighted successes of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in Zanzibar and Senegal. Contributions from CIRDES, FIND, DNDi, GALVmed, and the Gates Foundation reinforced progress in vector control, diagnostics, treatments, and product development tailored to Africa’s smallholder farmers.

This collective effort underscores the momentum towards eliminating trypanosomiasis. The days ahead will delve into HAT and AAT, vector biology, and forward-looking strategies, all aimed at achieving a continent free of this disease burden. Africa’s resolve is clear: through innovation, collaboration, and One Health, trypanosomiasis can be defeated.