Fw: Ref.: (LML) "What determines a successful leprosy control program: preventing disability and relieving human suffering or Zero leprosy?"

 

Leprosy Mailing List –  May 30,  2025

 

Ref.:  (LML) "What determines a successful leprosy control program: preventing disability and relieving human suffering or Zero leprosy?"

From: Linda Lehman and Pieter Schreuder, USA and the Netherlands

 

 

Dear colleagues, 

  

Most of you must have read the report by Wim Theuvenet (LML, May 6, 2025) about Reconstructive surgery, physiotherapy and courses in leprosy and Prevention of Disability (POD), Sulewesi and Ambon, November 2024. Most of you will have concluded that this has been a very important and commendable work. However, this is not a reality for many leprosy patients in many different regions of the world. Not only do only a minority of persons affected by leprosy have access to rehabilitation services (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, assistive technology and surgery), but many persons are still only diagnosed and treated late after unnecessary delays caused by both patients and health care workers. 

 

In many health services, up to date knowledge of leprosy and especially of POD, is not available. There is an absence of leprosy training courses or refresher courses, irregular and limited supervision, absence of integrated rehabilitation services within all levels of health care and difficulties in referring patients to higher levels of health care. Of course, there are excellent leprosy control programs with dedicated leprosy workers. These programs combine early disease diagnosis with early detection and management of reactions and nerve function impairment. However, reality shows us that many patients still do not receive the timely attention and adequate interventions they need. As a result, there is unnecessary suffering and disability along with continued discrimination and stigma. 

 

Leprosy is not only a medical issue; leprosy requires a multi-disciplinary approach which is patient and family centered. Prevention and management of disabilities requires all disciplines to work together, and rehabilitation interventions to be integrated within community, primary, secondary and tertiary health care to get optimal results assuring mental well-being, function and participation.  

 

The critical area still causing suffering and disability is the inadequate detection and management of reactions and neuritis at diagnosis, during MDT and after completion of MDT.  The diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of neuritis can only be successful when medical treatment includes and integrates POD and timely surgical Rehabilitation intervention. 

 

The ultimate goal of leprosy control programs is to reach Zero Leprosy. However, true success requires us to also include and measure our ability to alleviate human suffering, discrimination and disability.  Let the Conference in Bali have no illusions about Zero Leprosy success if it has not addressed and measured success of a bigger goal that successfully manages disease, disability and discrimination. 

 

  

Regards, 

 

Linda Lehman

Pieter Schreuder

________________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Leprosy Mailing List" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to leprosymailinglist+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/leprosymailinglist/20ae51b5-675a-419c-8908-e74ff658c60en%40googlegroups.com.