International Federation of Antileprosy Associations and National Leprosy Eradication Programme--an alliance that accelerated quality leprosy services

One of the main objectives of National Leprosy Eradication Programme in India is to achieve elimination of leprosy at national level (1 per 10,000 population). There will still remain a considerable number of cured leprosy cases with some disabilities and they require physical, socio-economic and phychological rehabilitation. Therefore, leprosy services need to be continued in a sustained manner. There are some major challenges which are to be confronted in a comprehensive and systemic manner. ILEP has come out to work together with the government to reach a common goal of a world without leprosy. It has a long history of providing quality leprosy services. The activities of ILEP support have been mentioned in this article. While considering the further scope of ILEP support to NLEP in India some guiding principles were identified. The support will be planned in line with global leprosy strategy and its operational guidelines.     

How can the private practitioners support leprosy elimination in India

The private providers especially private practitioners are the first contact points for any types of ailments both in the urban and rural situations. From 2001 onwards, the services for National Leprosy Eradication changed to integrated system involving general healthcare system. Special emphasis is laid on correct diagnosis of leprosy cases before declaring and putting them under multidrug therapy. The government doctors were provided repeated training for this capacity building to diagnose and manage all diagnosed cases. Government of India also arranged practice of giving orientation programme to the private practitioners through IMA in the year 2004-05. The private practitioners can support the programme through case diagnosis, continuation of treatment and spreading awareness.     

Awareness of Leprosy in an urban slum of Western Maharashtra Post 35 Years of the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP)

BackgroundEven after 35 years of the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) and 15 years post-elimination, leprosy continues to be a public health challenge in India. This paper discusses the current awareness of leprosy among people living in urban slums of western Maharashtra.MethodsThe study was conducted in an urban slum of western Maharashtra with 400 participants. A closed-ended questionnaire regarding the knowledge, attitude, practices, and stigma existing among the people was administered, followed by a small awareness talk and screening for leprosy.ResultsOf the total 400 participants, 205 (51.25) were females and 195 (48.75) were males. Only 154/400 (38.5%) people were aware of leprosy. 130/400 (32.5%) people thought that it is treatable; however, 71/130 (54.6) of them thought that it would recur even after completing the treatment. Only 103/400 (25.75) said that they would marry a person with leprosy, denoting prevalent stigma in the society, and 79/400 (19.75) were aware of government services for leprosy and NLEP. Screening of all the participants surveyed did not reveal any new or doubtful cases of leprosy.ConclusionThe present study shows a lack of awareness and knowledge of leprosy among the target population. With only 20% of them being aware of government services and the NLEP, combined with an extremely low knowledge about the disease; it shows the need to further augment the government programs. There is also an increasing need to educate people to accomplish a positive attitude of the community towards leprosy patients.     

开展精准防控,推动我国消除血吸虫病进程

经过多年积极努力,我国血吸虫病防治工作取得了巨大成就,目前正朝着消除血吸虫病的伟大目标稳步前进,但当前消除血吸虫病工作面临着传染源管理难、钉螺控制难、能力建设提升难和输入性血吸虫病等诸多挑战。要如期实现消除血吸虫病的宏伟目标,就要突破这些难点、有效应对面临的挑战,需要精准识别血吸虫病传播风险因素、针对防治靶点采取精准干预措施、根据精准评价结果及时调整防治策略。及时将我国消除血吸虫病经验和相关血防产品传输到疾病流行国家,将为全球消除血吸虫病做出重要贡献。     

Polio Eradication in India: Myth or Reality

Background

Poliomyelitis has been eradicated from large parts of the world. In South East Asian Region, India and Pakistan remain the only countries where active transmission of the disease persists. A decade-long initiative to eradicate the disease is in progress in India. Initial results were encouraging, with the number of fresh polio decreasing till 2001. The year 2002, however, witnessed a setback, with significant rise in cases of poliomyelitis.

Methods and Results

The eradication measures have been reviewed. The corrective measures appear to be succeeding. Various facets of eradication and their impact are evaluated.

Conclusion

Poliomyelitis is controlled but the ultimate target of eradication may still be elusive, keeping in mind operational lacunae and vaccine virus characteristics.Key Words: Poliomyelitis, Eradication in India, Surveillance, Vaccine     

甘肃麻风病达标县新复发病例分析及面临形势对策

目的分析甘肃省71个县(区)麻风病达标验收后出现新、复发患者情况及目前面临形势及对策。方法对71个县(区)达标验收后出现新复发麻风疫情资料进行统计。结果71个县(区)有新发麻风患者64例,其中MB49例,PB15例;男性42例,女性22例;家庭内发病29例(45.31%);Ⅱ级畸残22例(34.38%);皮肤涂片阳性49例(76.56%);复发13例,其中MB10例,PB3例,男性8例,女性5例。;主动发现12例(含复发,占15.58%),被动发现65例(含复发,占84.42%);病期在2年内26例(占40.63%)治愈距复发20年以上11例(84.62%);患病率超过0.1/万的有3个县,近5年平均发现率超过0.5/10万的有5个县。结论甘肃省麻风病达标县(区)疫情并未出现反弹。但由于重视程度有所下降,目前面临的形势仍很严峻,麻防工作任重而道远。     

肇庆市巩固基本消灭麻风病的防治措施和效果

目的分析肇庆市麻风病基本消灭达标前后的流行情况,为制定麻风病防治策略提供科学依据。方法收集整理1956~2010年期间肇庆市麻风病综合防治报表等资料,以麻风病发现率、发病率、患病率等指标对巩固基本消灭麻风病采取的防治措施和效果进行分析,评价麻风病防治工作的成效。结果肇庆市基本消灭麻风病达标后年均发现率为0.16/10万、年均发病率0.14/10万、年均患病率0.35/10万,二级畸残率5.66%,儿童病例、病死率均大幅下降,平均病期缩短。结论肇庆市巩固基本消灭麻风病防治措施取得显著成效。     

肇庆市巩固基本消灭麻风病防治效果分析

目的分析2003～2010年肇庆市麻风病防治投入和效益指标,评价肇庆市巩固基本消灭麻风病防治效果。方法收集整理肇庆市麻风病防治的流行病学和社会经济资料,应用成本效益法分析研究肇庆市麻风病防治的成本效益。结果2003—2010年肇庆市共投入麻风病防治资金570．81万元,预期获得直接经济效益4604．67万元、间接经济效益7303．99万元,总效益11908．66万元。成本-直接效益比值为1：8．07,成本-间接效益比值为1：12．80。结论肇庆市巩固基本消灭麻风病防治工作每投入1元防治成本可获得8．07元的效益,为国家创造12．80元财富,减轻了病人和社会负担,取得良好的社会经济效益。