GLOBAL UPDATE ON LEPROSY, 2011

Thursday, 13th of October 2011

GLOBAL UPDATE ON LEPROSY, 2011

Excerpt below; full text, with country specific data and year by year, comparisons, is at http://www.who.int/wer/2011/wer8636.pdf

‘The burden of leprosy continues to decline globally as a result of sustained efforts carried out by national leprosy programmes along with continued support from both national and international partners. It is important that all countries where the disease is endemic continue to sustain the current declines in the disease.

‘The enhanced global strategy1 emphasizes reducing grade-2 disabilities among new cases; thus it is important that cases are detected early, that patients complete a course of multidrug therapy in a timely manner, and that they are cured. Improving the management of complications through the development of an effective referral

service and increased community awareness about the disease will ensure that cases present for diagnosis at an early stage and will help reduce the disease burden further.

‘It is expected that issues relating to stigma, discrimination and rehabilitation can be tackled in a more integrated and inclusive manner by working in collaboration with partner agencies and associations for people affected by leprosy.’