Ten years of NGDO action against river blindness

For a decade, a dozen non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs) have organized themselves into a Geneva-based coordination group with the goal of global control of onchocerciasis through mass distribution of ivermectin (Mectizan(R)). Members of this group have worked with Ministries of Health and other partners to empower communities affected by the disease to take responsibility for their own treatment. The NGDO Group has played a key role in the governance of international onchocerciasis control effort, particularly as a partner within the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control. Ten years on, it is now time to take stock of activities, review the lessons learned and confront future challenges.