Context
In 2015, WHO issued a Global Strategy and action plan on WASH and NTDs encouraging new ways to partner and invest across programmes in support of the goals of the WHO 2012 NTD roadmap. The BEST Framework, developed by the NTDs NGO Network in 2016, supports the strategy by offering a helpful conceptual framework to ensure that all actions needed for control and elimination, including water and sanitation as well as all other key interventions for NTD control and elimination, are addressed while ensuring sustainability and systems strengthening. BEST can be used to help plan, fund and deliver comprehensive approaches that target the population groups most in need.
The BEST Framework for NTDs
The BEST Framework encompasses
- Behaviours (physical, attitudes, institutional);
- Environment (sanitation and waste, infection prevention and control in healthcare, water infrastructure, vector control and veterinary public health);
- Social inclusion (empowerment of communities affected by NTDs, addressing stigma and discrimination);
- Treatment and Care (chemotherapy, surgery, disease management and selfcare, rehabilitation and health systems strengthening).
The Interventions for NTD control and care resource sets out the key interventions under each BEST component for all NTDs, as well as highlighting the necessary WASH conditions and interventions.
The following documents provide detailed information on the role of WASH within each aspect of the BEST Framework:
- WASH in Behaviour Change
- WASH in Environment
- WASH in Social Inclusion
- WASH in Treatment & Care
Related resources:
NTD-related behaviours
Understanding behaviour to develop behaviour change interventions