5S Ethiopia Project Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Podoconiosis Action Network (NaPAN)

A Memorandum of Understanding is signed between the 5S foundation Ethiopia project and the National Podoconiosis Action Network (NaPAN). The main purpose of the MoU is to promote mutual cooperation between the Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases Foundation Ethiopia (5S Eth) and the National Podoconiosis Action Network (NaPAN) in the areas of creating high level policy dialogues platforms, community awareness raising campaign, training and capacity building activities, establishing scabies patients’ associations or self-help groups or networks and other NTD issues. The following are the specific objectives of the MoU:

• To Establish sustainable cooperation and partnership between Stigmatizing Skin Diseases Foundation Ethiopia (5S Eth) and the National Podoconiosis Action Network.
• To cooperate and work together in the area of facilitating high level policy dialogues forums to influence policy makers or political leaders.
• To establish scabies patients associations or self-help groups/Networks that can play a great role in prevention and stigma reduction activities.
• To organize community awareness campaigns using national radio campaigns, music, community theatre, podo ambassadors, youth and school clubs.
• To strengthen WASH-NTD task forces at woreda or community level using the already existing strategies, messaging guides and toolkits.
• To identify expert patients and provide training on the clinical and social aspects of the issue.
• To empower patients and caregivers through delivering training on the issue.
• To integrate podo and scabies patients to bring changes at the individual level.
• To increase visibility of NaPAN and 5S Ethiopia project.
• To share communication resources of the two parties.
• Exchange information and cooperate in multiple ways in efforts to reduce stigma and discriminations associated with podo and scabies.
• Work together in other related issues.