Whither Integration?

Leprosy Mailing List, April 24^th, 2009

Ref.:    Whither Integration? (see attachment)

From:  Ganapaty R., Mumbai, India

---

 

  

Dear Dr Noto,

 

We have documented evidence to show that increasing numbers of patients report voluntarily to the Leprosy Referral Centres of Bombay Leprosy Project after integration of leprosy in to general health services (Ganapati R, Pai VV, Nanda A, Pai RR, Can Urban Health Posts manage Leprosy Detection and Treatment after Integration with General Health Services?—A Study in Bombay, Lepr Rev,79, 338-339, 2008).

 

Observations of a group of dermatologists working in one of the four major teaching medical colleges in the huge metropolis of Mumbai published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology, 75, 190-191, 2009 are extracted in attachment for the benefit of the leprosy mailing list readers.

 

I believe that the experience of other medical colleges, practicing physicians and NGOs indicates a rising trend of leprosy in this mega city with about 15 million population, though statistics from such sectors remain unrecorded. The situation may not be different in other major cities with population exceeding 10 million.

 

Though it is clear that over the past five years integration of leprosy has failed, the concerned officials of the government and municipal corporation seem to be quite complacent. 

 

Dr R Ganapati,

Director Emeritus

Bombay Leprosy Project