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Aim for a leprosy-free Bangladesh by 2030

Published : Tuesday, 13 February, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 449
Md Sazedul Islam
Leprosy is the oldest disease in human history. With the development of human civilization and social improvement, the prevalence of this disease has decreased in developed countries. But in developing countries like ours, leprosy is still prevalent. Currently, people with leprosy are known to be detected in Brazil, India, Nepal, Mozambique, Angola, Congo and Tanzania, along with Bangladesh.

At the moment, anti-leprosy activities are mainly carried out by non-governmental organizations. It is tough for them alone to tackle the situation. The involvement of government is a must. As leprosy is treatable if the patients are brought under treatment at early stage. Hence, early case detection is very important. The government needs to train its health employees across the country to detect early leprosy cases in the remote areas. At the moment, there is inadequacy of facilities for handling complex leprosy cases. It is imperative to ensure the availability of treatment of complex leprosy cases like reconstructive surgery in the country. If these are not ensured, anti-leprosy activities will be hampered.                

According to the World Health Organization, leprosy eradication needs to be given more importance. But anti-leprosy campaigners here observed that the issue did not get the attention it deserves. Anti-leprosy activities, including financial allocation in leprosy sector, are not adequate. Under the circumstances, it can be said that our target to make zero leprosy by 2030 will be uncertain if Bangladesh goes slow on the leprosy issue.         

Leprosy is such an issue which brings national sufferings. Although leprosy is a health problem, the stigma surrounding it leads to discrimination against the affected persons and even their relatives, resulting in a major social problem. As a result affected persons become a burden to their families and cannot do any earning work for the families. Because of this, there is also an economic impact surrounding leprosy.

People affected by leprosy- related disability become a burden to the country, on the other hand, prejudices are created over leprosy, resulting in human rights violation. That is why, it is necessary to create a leprosy-free country, otherwise the sufferings caused by leprosy will continue.

People with leprosy and disabilities have the right to enjoy all the civil facilities. Our national constitution guarantees equal benefits and rights to every citizen. Therefore, discrimination against any citizen is not acceptable.
If leprosy is detected at an early stage and treated, leprosy-related disabilities can be prevented. A massive awareness campaign is required.

Although leprosy is an important issue, the issue has not been given much importance in Bangladesh due to various reasons. It loses more importance during the Corona period. Although leprosy is treated free of charge in Bangladesh and is completely curable with regular treatment, the disease still remains a public health problem.

Leprosy experts recommend widespread leprosy education, integration into healthcare and community counseling. Steps should be taken to distribute MDT among patients through community clinics, offering convenience for patients and facilitating easier referral of any complications. Community health care providers can seize the opportunity to screen the family members of index cases during MDT distribution and follow-up, reducing default rates, decreasing stigma, and enhancing timely complication identification and referrals.          

Leprosy is caused by a germ, not a curse. With regular treatment, patients with this disease can lead a normal life. Necessary messages should be disseminated among people to ensure health care and other facilities for every person in the society. Mass media messages about where to get medical care can play an important role in eradicating the disease. The media should play a strong role in making the issue of leprosy important.
Health and Information Ministries should take initiative so that the mass media play its anti-leprosy role for the sake of national interest. The government needs to play an active role regarding the steps, mentioned above, to ensure zero leprosy in the country.

As per World Health Organization (WHO) Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030, Bangladesh has made its leprosy strategy to build a leprosy-free country by 2030. We are glad that Bangladeshs national Strategic Plan for leprosy 2021-30 aligns with WHOs strategy, but its successful implementation demands significant funding and health staff capacity building.    

To solve the leprosy problem, the national budget needs to allocate necessary funds and the government needs to play an important role in utilizing its manpower to create a leprosy-free country. If this is not done, uncertainty may arise in the creation of a leprosy-free country within that period.

The funding shortfall has a ripple effects on capacity building, patient follow-up during and after MDT treatment, and engagement in leprosy-related activities at district and upazila levels. Such limitations have comprised active leprosy case finding, which is a vital leprosy transmission interruption strategy.      

Lets all concerned work together along with the government to establish the rights and dignity of the affected people and be determined to establish the future Bangladesh as a leprosy free country on the world map.
The writer is a freelance journalist



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