Priorities for future of leprosy control

Leprosy Mailing List – December 18^th, 2010

Ref.:   Priorities for future of leprosy control

From: Samy A. Antony, Mumbai, India 

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Dear Dr. Noto,

This has reference to Dr. Pannikar’s (Leprosy Mailing List dated 5 December 2010) concern on the priorities for future leprosy control and we fully endorse his views expressed.

In the present scenario of increasing trend in new case registration at different geographical locations in India, decreased political commitment and scarce funds will result in a situation that may warrant greater resources and deployment of trained manpower in the near future.  Therefore, sustaining leprosy control work with adequate resources and requisite expertise merits urgent attention.

Further, the emphasis today also should be on developing a common strategy for India based on an authentic assessment of the leprosy situation. The present context of integration calls for special interventions planned, taking into consideration the regional variations in the disease burden. A specific common plan of action and adequate resources must be part of it with a firm commitment as it was in the past.

We firmly believe that the ILEP agencies working in India have greater potential to draw on from the rich experience of the past decade and help evolve a national plan on the priority areas of leprosy control.  We suggest a joint consultation to bring forth this agenda at the national level in collaboration with the government and leprosy NGOs to make a long-term impact.

With kind regards,

A. Antony Samy

Chief Executive

ALERT - INDIA (Association for Leprosy Education, Rehabilitation and Treatment - India)

B-9, Mira Mansion, Sion (West), Mumbai – 400 022, India.

Tel: +91-22-24033081 / 2; Fax: +91-22- 24017652; Email: alert(at)bom5.vsnl.net.in

Web Page: www.alert-india.org.in