Launch of the Defeating Meningitis Roadmap

23 Aug 2021
Launch of the Defeating Meningitis Roadmap

Despite successful efforts to control meningitis in several regions, meningitis continues to be a major public health issue. It kills about 250,000 people annually, and leaves 1 in 5 of those affected with long-term devastating sequelae. It is also a significant health security concern. Meningitis epidemics can strike fast, are unpredictable and cause massive disruption to communities and health-systems.

WHO roadshow summary document
WHO roadshow summary document

For these reasons, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the first global roadmap that sets forth a vision and strategy to defeat meningitis by 2030, which will be launched on September 28th 2021. This roadmap includes three visionary goals: to i) eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis ii) reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and deaths by 70% and iii) reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningitis of any cause.

About the launch

The launch will be virtual and live-streamed on the WHO website at this link: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/09/28/default-calendar/launch-of-the-defeating-meningitis-roadmap, or you can join the event directly via Zoom: https://who.zoom.us/j/96263263733

Programme and speakers

The programme will be further developed in the coming weeks.

It will include the following:

  • Keynote address by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
  • Presentation of the Defeating Meningitis by 2030 global roadmap
  • Case stories around the three visionary goals
  • Inputs from meningitis patient and families groups
  • Commitments to defeat meningitis by 2030

This page will be updated with registration information nearer to the event.
 

If you have a question or concern about meningitis, contact our support helpline

The MRF Membership and Support team are here for you for any questions you might have about meningitis and septicaemia and their effects on you or your family and friends.

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Elaine Devine - Director of Advocacy, Communications & Support
Tel: 0333 405 6248