Implementation of national schistosomiasis control programmes in West Africa.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are countries endemic for schistosomiasis, with a high predominance of Schistosoma haematobium. With the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, national control programmes were launched in these countries in 2004. Here, we describe the progress of implementation for each programme and the challenges for maintaining sustainability for schistosomiasis control in these countries.