Focus on new medicines to treat leprosy: WHO

PUNE: "The new global strategy for elimination of leprosy is being formulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with focus on finding new drugs," said Indranath Banerjee, national professional officer of the WHO.
Banerjee was in the city to speak at the deliver Jal Mehta memorial oration organised by the International Leprosy Union on Monday. He spoke on future of leprosy in India'.
Highlighting reasons for sharp decline in number of people affected by leprosy (PAL) across the world, Banerjee said standardised diagnosis, shorter treatment, improved surveillance and integration of services have been instrumental in bringing about the change.Besides, introduction of the MDT medicine in 1980 provided the required leverage to effect the drastic change, he added.
"There were around 5,09,000 cases in India in 1999, now there are just 82,000 leprosy patients in 2008," said Banerjee. "The elimination concept coined in 2005 meant that the country has below one case of leprosy per ten thousand population," Banerjee said. In India, 29 of 35 states and union territories have achieved this target, he added.
Sharadchandra Gokhale, president of International Leprosy Union (ILU), said that the ILU has formed a committee with the permission of the state government for upgradation of facilities at the Kondhwa leprosy hospital. "Our aim is to expand medical facilities with emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation," said Gokhale.
Instead of asking the government to dole out assistance, the leprosy patients should learn to stand on their own and enhance their self respect, he added.