NAIROBI, January 24 (IPS) – In the four years before the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, appeared to be declining. From 2016 to early 2020, the number of new cases was more or less unchanged.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted leprosy treatment services, made it difficult for people with leprosy to receive treatment and care for people with disabilities, and disrupted leprosy case detection, leading to The number of cases has decreased sharply since 2020 despite many cases of leprosy going undiagnosed and untreated.
“Leprosy is an ancient infectious disease, but it is curable. Early detection and treatment of leprosy is extremely important. We must accelerate the search for new cases and make sure they get treatment. I have seen many people disabled because of not being treated,” said Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
In an effort to draw the world’s attention to non-transmission, non-discrimination and non-exclusion, the Holy See, Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative (Hansen’s Disease)the France’s Raoul Follereau Foundation and the Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau is co-organizing the second international symposium on Hansen’s Disease in Rome, January 23-24, 2023.
The first international symposium was held similarly at the Vatican and titled ‘Towards Holistic Care for People with Hansen’s Disease, Respecting Their Dignity’. As a result, the spread of Hansen’s disease subsided until the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
In light of the disruption caused by COVID-19, speakers and participants expressed concern and concern that the situation has been and will get worse.
The ongoing symposium is therefore a global call to leave no one behind in the fight against leprosy and to end stigma and discrimination. In addition, to review the progress made since the first international symposium and the barriers that still stand in the way of a leprosy-free world.
Importantly, the symposium included the launch of the 2023 Global Call to End stigma and discrimination against those affected by leprosy.
The symposium is therefore an opportunity to discuss non-discrimination and listen to testimonials and best practices, with particular attention to the role of religious leaders, the views of key actors in the global leprosy community, as well as recommendations and suggestions on the best way forward.
More broadly, the symposium is a platform for looking at how socially vulnerable individuals and communities, especially those including people with disabilities as a result of illness, have been affected. impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and suggest ways to improve their situation.
Speakers on behalf of symposium organizers, including Pope Francis, emphasized that leprosy is curable and that early treatment can prevent disability. If left untreated, leprosy can cause permanent and lasting damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes.
A statement read on behalf of Pope Francis encouraged the global community to follow the example of the Good Samaritan, not to turn a blind eye and to ignore when those affected by leprosy are shunned and ostracized from community.
“We are used to passing by. We cannot forget our brothers and sisters. This is a great opportunity to build inclusivity. Working across three areas: being free of disease, helping those affected through care and treatment, nurturing their spirits and restoring them back to society,” the statement read in part.
Speaking at the symposium, a Novartis representative said multi-drug therapy (MDT) is the backbone towards leprosy and its free availability has reduced the global burden of disease by 95%. in the past three decades.
Novartis MDT donations have helped treat more than 7.3 million patients since 2000, significantly disrupting leprosy transmission and preventing disability. But there is still a long way to go.
Novartis said an estimated 200,000 new cases of leprosy are discovered each year and an estimated 2.3 million people are living with a disability caused by leprosy.
Of the new cases, WHO says there are about 7,198 newly discovered cases with grade 2 disability (G2D) and the newly recorded G2D rate is 0.9 per million population.
Disability in leprosy as defined by the WHO classification system; grade 0 means no disability, while grade 1 means loss of protective sensation in the eyes, hands and feet. Grade 2 is more serious because it indicates the presence of visible deformities or lesions in the eyes, hands, or feet.
Sasakawa emphasized that it is not enough for people to get treatment, “because even after they receive medical treatment and recover from the disease, they are still affected by leprosy. Discrimination is longstanding, ingrained, and ongoing.
Novartis says collaboration is key and re-engaging those who may have lost their way. In general, speakers like Dr. Benedict Quao emphasize the need to focus, prioritize, strategize and work together at the national, regional and global levels. This will create a sustainable roadmap, he said.
By leading the National Leprosy Program in Ghana and also being a member of the Global Partnership for Leprosy Free, reinforced by appropriate action can accelerate progress towards leprosy and zero. stigma and discrimination.
Report of the UN IPS Office
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© Inter Press Service (2023) — All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service
