Priorities for future of leprosy control

Leprosy Mailing List – December 5^th, 2010

Ref.:   Priorities for future of leprosy control

From: Pannikar V., New Delhi, India  

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Dear Dr Noto,

I am writing to your list as they are leaders in the fight against leprosy.  Also as experts who can help in sustaining leprosy control with a long term vision.

The current donors have decided not to continue to fund the WHO initiative on surveillance of drug resistance in leprosy.  To me there is no greater threat than this to the future of leprosy control.

I urge ILEP and its members to join the initiative and sustain it.  The benefits are not only on the surveillance front but much wider.  These include removal of political misconception regarding elimination and wrong notion about end of leprosy problem.

On technical front it gives motivation and challenge to scientist to continue research on leprosy and its chemotherapy with new drugs.  Indirectly it will also motivate donors to perceive that leprosy needs funds and needs support.

The second issue is the rapid loss of expertise in leprosy at all levels.  To me it is a great surprise that the downfall is so quick.  Even country like India is almost a pauper in leprosy expertise.  This will destroy both quality and sustainability of leprosy control in next few years. ILEP members need to focus on improving the situations with their efforts for continuing education, training and re-training and most importantly in attracting young scientists to work for leprosy.

I believe that both these initiatives go hand in hand.  We all need to think together and put in place a strategy which will sustain leprosy control after we are gone.  This is for the generations which will follow and I believe it is our duty and mission.

With kind regards,

V. Pannikar