Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 50
Integrate female genital schistosomiasis care into UK SRHR programming with education and WASH.
Recommendation
Female genital schistosomiasis is a painful and debilitating but treatable condition affecting up to 56 million women. FGS is best tackled through an integrated approach with wider SRHR programming, as well as with other areas of programming such as education, WASH and HIV and AIDS. The UK should integrate female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) care into its SRHR programming. This should include (a) improving access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, (b) increasing girls’ enrolment in education and supporting distribution of FGS medicine in schools, (c) distributing educational materials on WASH, and (d) considering integrating FGS and HIV and AIDS programming, including by discussing the integration of HIV and AIDS programming with FGS care with its multilateral partners, such as the Global Fund.
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, noting existing research support and integration efforts for FGS with HIV/SRHR services via UNAIDS. It commits to including FGS treatment in the forthcoming WISH Dividend program where feasible and will explore further integration into SRHR programming.
Paragraph Reference:
50
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially Agree 45. The FCDO recognises the impact of Female Genital Schistosomiasis on women globally. We are supporting research and development into schistosomiasis through the funding for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). This initiative is actively developing new drugs for the disease with the aim to counter the risk of resistance and to treat female genital schistosomiasis. 46. The FCDO has previously supported research into female genital schistosomiasis through support to the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD) which led to the development of new competencies for the training of health professionals on the disease. 47. Through the FCDO’s funding for UNAIDS and support for their Global AIDS Strategy (2021–26) the FCDO is also supporting initiatives to address female genital schistosomiasis and integrate treatment and prevention services for the disease with HIV services, sexual and reproductive health and rights services, and comprehensive sexuality education. 48. The terms of reference for implementing partners for the forthcoming WISH Dividend regional programme includes the treatment of FGS as part of service delivery support in priority countries where feasible. The FCDO will explore where it can further integrate FGS into SRHR programming.