A leprosy victimShe cried for days before she was taken a Leprosarium. Edna swears that living with leprosy and branded a “leper” is a fate worse than death. It is a disease that leaves you and those sympathising with you in tears. The emotional trauma, untold suffering and agonies of persons in a leprosarium for those afflicted by leprosy is nothing to cheer about. The experience is unpalatable to anyone. The environment in which they are admitted and treated is not in anyway habitable, thereby making the situation more dehumanizing and agonizing.
The fate of Edna and about 3,500 Nigerians afflicted annually with leprosy hangs in the balance as new cases are being detected with little or no resources allocated to fight resurgence of the disease.
Most of the Leprosaria built in the country date back to the 1950s and are now dilapidated, unkempt and irritating.
Abandoned Colony Today, leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, is still a special public health problem in Nigeria due to the discrimination, stigmatisation, isolation, and destitution the patient suffers indignation within the community. A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. It is curable and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, says leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. WHO has maintained that early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
Although, Nigeria was removed from the list of countries with high endemicity in 1999 when it achieved the target of 1 case per 10,000, leprosy control activities have since nose dived.
Only recently, a public health expert, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, expressed concern over the gradual resurgence of leprosy in Nigeria.
According to the researcher, at the Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, new cases of leprosy were detected in some parts of the country, calling for more vigorous strategy to stop the spread of the disease.
“Nigerians should watch out for any strange lightening of the skin, skin lesion, white patches on the skin that has loss of sensation, persistent upper respiratory infections and swelling of any part of the nerve of the body. Those might be early forms of leprosy and it is better to tackle them at that stage; they can be arrested, they can be treated, and the person can be cured.
Just last week during the 61st World Leprosy Day, the National Director of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr. Udo Sunday, raised alarm over new cases of leprosy in Nigeria, saying that about 3,805 new cases of the disease were recorded in 2013.
More worrisome is the fact that out of the number, 10 per cent were children, and 12 per cent were already deformed as a result of lack of care. The North East zone of the country accounted for most of the cases.
Udo expressed fears of likely resurgence of the disease in the country if Federal Government does not step up its act.
He warned that Tanzania and Liberia were already experiencing resurgence of the disease, while 16 countries in the world today still found more than 1,000 new cases every year, including Nigeria.
“There is need to refocus and reprioritise leprosy control activity in Nigeria owing to the high percentage of childhood leprosy and WHO Grade 2 disability among newly diagnosed patients indicating sustained transmission and late reporting, respectively.
“Nigeria needs to put in more efforts in order to detect early cases because if they are not detected on time, they are bound to cause disabilities which have a socio-economic impact on the society.”.
Udo further disclosed that a survey revealed that 27 per cent of street beggars across the country were leprosy victims.
He called for the passage of Bill on Disabilities which is still pending before the National Assembly, saying that leprosy is not hereditary, but is exacerbated by lack of political commitment, inadequate low referral and high level of stigmatization of sufferers.
However, as those afflicted with the diseases look forward for a little attention, health watchers are of the view that the authorities will implement the global leprosy strategy 2011–2015 national leprosy programmes which focuses more on underserved populations and inaccessible areas to improve access and coverage.
To reach all patients, leprosy treatment needs to be fully integrated into general health services. Moreover, political commitment needs to be sustained in countries where leprosy remains a public health problem. Partners in leprosy elimination also need to continue to ensure that human and financial resources are available.
The age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. The image of leprosy has to be changed at the global, national and local levels. A new environment, in which patients will not hesitate to come forward for diagnosis and treatment at any health facility, must be created.
When
Edna, 32, a graduate of English Language, was diagnosed with leprosy,
an old but neglected disease. Her world turned upside down.
She cried for days before she was taken a Leprosarium. Edna swears that living with leprosy and branded a “leper” is a fate worse than death. It is a disease that leaves you and those sympathising with you in tears. The emotional trauma, untold suffering and agonies of persons in a leprosarium for those afflicted by leprosy is nothing to cheer about. The experience is unpalatable to anyone. The environment in which they are admitted and treated is not in anyway habitable, thereby making the situation more dehumanizing and agonizing.
The fate of Edna and about 3,500 Nigerians afflicted annually with leprosy hangs in the balance as new cases are being detected with little or no resources allocated to fight resurgence of the disease.
Most of the Leprosaria built in the country date back to the 1950s and are now dilapidated, unkempt and irritating.
Today, leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, is still a special public health problem in Nigeria due to the discrimination, stigmatisation, isolation, and destitution the patient suffers indignation within the community. A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. It is curable and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, says leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. WHO has maintained that early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
Although, Nigeria was removed from the list of countries with high endemicity in 1999 when it achieved the target of 1 case per 10,000, leprosy control activities have since nose dived.
Only recently, a public health expert, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, expressed concern over the gradual resurgence of leprosy in Nigeria.
According to the researcher, at the Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, new cases of leprosy were detected in some parts of the country, calling for more vigorous strategy to stop the spread of the disease.
“Nigerians should watch out for any strange lightening of the skin, skin lesion, white patches on the skin that has loss of sensation, persistent upper respiratory infections and swelling of any part of the nerve of the body. Those might be early forms of leprosy and it is better to tackle them at that stage; they can be arrested, they can be treated, and the person can be cured.
Just last week during the 61st World Leprosy Day, the National Director of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr. Udo Sunday, raised alarm over new cases of leprosy in Nigeria, saying that about 3,805 new cases of the disease were recorded in 2013.
More worrisome is the fact that out of the number, 10 per cent were children, and 12 per cent were already deformed as a result of lack of care. The North East zone of the country accounted for most of the cases.
Udo expressed fears of likely resurgence of the disease in the country if Federal Government does not step up its act.
He warned that Tanzania and Liberia were already experiencing resurgence of the disease, while 16 countries in the world today still found more than 1,000 new cases every year, including Nigeria.
“There is need to refocus and reprioritise leprosy control activity in Nigeria owing to the high percentage of childhood leprosy and WHO Grade 2 disability among newly diagnosed patients indicating sustained transmission and late reporting, respectively.
“Nigeria needs to put in more efforts in order to detect early cases because if they are not detected on time, they are bound to cause disabilities which have a socio-economic impact on the society.”.
Udo further disclosed that a survey revealed that 27 per cent of street beggars across the country were leprosy victims.
He called for the passage of Bill on Disabilities which is still pending before the National Assembly, saying that leprosy is not hereditary, but is exacerbated by lack of political commitment, inadequate low referral and high level of stigmatization of sufferers.
However, as those afflicted with the diseases look forward for a little attention, health watchers are of the view that the authorities will implement the global leprosy strategy 2011–2015 national leprosy programmes which focuses more on underserved populations and inaccessible areas to improve access and coverage.
To reach all patients, leprosy treatment needs to be fully integrated into general health services. Moreover, political commitment needs to be sustained in countries where leprosy remains a public health problem. Partners in leprosy elimination also need to continue to ensure that human and financial resources are available.
The age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. The image of leprosy has to be changed at the global, national and local levels. A new environment, in which patients will not hesitate to come forward for diagnosis and treatment at any health facility, must be created.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/leprosy-forgotten-disease-makes-comeback/#sthash.tjcQVEHv.dpuf
She cried for days before she was taken a Leprosarium. Edna swears that living with leprosy and branded a “leper” is a fate worse than death. It is a disease that leaves you and those sympathising with you in tears. The emotional trauma, untold suffering and agonies of persons in a leprosarium for those afflicted by leprosy is nothing to cheer about. The experience is unpalatable to anyone. The environment in which they are admitted and treated is not in anyway habitable, thereby making the situation more dehumanizing and agonizing.
The fate of Edna and about 3,500 Nigerians afflicted annually with leprosy hangs in the balance as new cases are being detected with little or no resources allocated to fight resurgence of the disease.
Most of the Leprosaria built in the country date back to the 1950s and are now dilapidated, unkempt and irritating.
Today, leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, is still a special public health problem in Nigeria due to the discrimination, stigmatisation, isolation, and destitution the patient suffers indignation within the community. A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. It is curable and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, says leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. WHO has maintained that early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
Although, Nigeria was removed from the list of countries with high endemicity in 1999 when it achieved the target of 1 case per 10,000, leprosy control activities have since nose dived.
Only recently, a public health expert, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, expressed concern over the gradual resurgence of leprosy in Nigeria.
According to the researcher, at the Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, new cases of leprosy were detected in some parts of the country, calling for more vigorous strategy to stop the spread of the disease.
“Nigerians should watch out for any strange lightening of the skin, skin lesion, white patches on the skin that has loss of sensation, persistent upper respiratory infections and swelling of any part of the nerve of the body. Those might be early forms of leprosy and it is better to tackle them at that stage; they can be arrested, they can be treated, and the person can be cured.
Just last week during the 61st World Leprosy Day, the National Director of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr. Udo Sunday, raised alarm over new cases of leprosy in Nigeria, saying that about 3,805 new cases of the disease were recorded in 2013.
More worrisome is the fact that out of the number, 10 per cent were children, and 12 per cent were already deformed as a result of lack of care. The North East zone of the country accounted for most of the cases.
Udo expressed fears of likely resurgence of the disease in the country if Federal Government does not step up its act.
He warned that Tanzania and Liberia were already experiencing resurgence of the disease, while 16 countries in the world today still found more than 1,000 new cases every year, including Nigeria.
“There is need to refocus and reprioritise leprosy control activity in Nigeria owing to the high percentage of childhood leprosy and WHO Grade 2 disability among newly diagnosed patients indicating sustained transmission and late reporting, respectively.
“Nigeria needs to put in more efforts in order to detect early cases because if they are not detected on time, they are bound to cause disabilities which have a socio-economic impact on the society.”.
Udo further disclosed that a survey revealed that 27 per cent of street beggars across the country were leprosy victims.
He called for the passage of Bill on Disabilities which is still pending before the National Assembly, saying that leprosy is not hereditary, but is exacerbated by lack of political commitment, inadequate low referral and high level of stigmatization of sufferers.
However, as those afflicted with the diseases look forward for a little attention, health watchers are of the view that the authorities will implement the global leprosy strategy 2011–2015 national leprosy programmes which focuses more on underserved populations and inaccessible areas to improve access and coverage.
To reach all patients, leprosy treatment needs to be fully integrated into general health services. Moreover, political commitment needs to be sustained in countries where leprosy remains a public health problem. Partners in leprosy elimination also need to continue to ensure that human and financial resources are available.
The age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. The image of leprosy has to be changed at the global, national and local levels. A new environment, in which patients will not hesitate to come forward for diagnosis and treatment at any health facility, must be created.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/leprosy-forgotten-disease-makes-comeback/#sthash.tjcQVEHv.dpuf
When
Edna, 32, a graduate of English Language, was diagnosed with leprosy,
an old but neglected disease. Her world turned upside down.
She cried for days before she was taken a Leprosarium. Edna swears that living with leprosy and branded a “leper” is a fate worse than death. It is a disease that leaves you and those sympathising with you in tears. The emotional trauma, untold suffering and agonies of persons in a leprosarium for those afflicted by leprosy is nothing to cheer about. The experience is unpalatable to anyone. The environment in which they are admitted and treated is not in anyway habitable, thereby making the situation more dehumanizing and agonizing.
The fate of Edna and about 3,500 Nigerians afflicted annually with leprosy hangs in the balance as new cases are being detected with little or no resources allocated to fight resurgence of the disease.
Most of the Leprosaria built in the country date back to the 1950s and are now dilapidated, unkempt and irritating.
Today, leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, is still a special public health problem in Nigeria due to the discrimination, stigmatisation, isolation, and destitution the patient suffers indignation within the community. A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. It is curable and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, says leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. WHO has maintained that early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
Although, Nigeria was removed from the list of countries with high endemicity in 1999 when it achieved the target of 1 case per 10,000, leprosy control activities have since nose dived.
Only recently, a public health expert, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, expressed concern over the gradual resurgence of leprosy in Nigeria.
According to the researcher, at the Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, new cases of leprosy were detected in some parts of the country, calling for more vigorous strategy to stop the spread of the disease.
“Nigerians should watch out for any strange lightening of the skin, skin lesion, white patches on the skin that has loss of sensation, persistent upper respiratory infections and swelling of any part of the nerve of the body. Those might be early forms of leprosy and it is better to tackle them at that stage; they can be arrested, they can be treated, and the person can be cured.
Just last week during the 61st World Leprosy Day, the National Director of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr. Udo Sunday, raised alarm over new cases of leprosy in Nigeria, saying that about 3,805 new cases of the disease were recorded in 2013.
More worrisome is the fact that out of the number, 10 per cent were children, and 12 per cent were already deformed as a result of lack of care. The North East zone of the country accounted for most of the cases.
Udo expressed fears of likely resurgence of the disease in the country if Federal Government does not step up its act.
He warned that Tanzania and Liberia were already experiencing resurgence of the disease, while 16 countries in the world today still found more than 1,000 new cases every year, including Nigeria.
“There is need to refocus and reprioritise leprosy control activity in Nigeria owing to the high percentage of childhood leprosy and WHO Grade 2 disability among newly diagnosed patients indicating sustained transmission and late reporting, respectively.
“Nigeria needs to put in more efforts in order to detect early cases because if they are not detected on time, they are bound to cause disabilities which have a socio-economic impact on the society.”.
Udo further disclosed that a survey revealed that 27 per cent of street beggars across the country were leprosy victims.
He called for the passage of Bill on Disabilities which is still pending before the National Assembly, saying that leprosy is not hereditary, but is exacerbated by lack of political commitment, inadequate low referral and high level of stigmatization of sufferers.
However, as those afflicted with the diseases look forward for a little attention, health watchers are of the view that the authorities will implement the global leprosy strategy 2011–2015 national leprosy programmes which focuses more on underserved populations and inaccessible areas to improve access and coverage.
To reach all patients, leprosy treatment needs to be fully integrated into general health services. Moreover, political commitment needs to be sustained in countries where leprosy remains a public health problem. Partners in leprosy elimination also need to continue to ensure that human and financial resources are available.
The age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. The image of leprosy has to be changed at the global, national and local levels. A new environment, in which patients will not hesitate to come forward for diagnosis and treatment at any health facility, must be created.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/leprosy-forgotten-disease-makes-comeback/#sthash.tjcQVEHv.dpuf
She cried for days before she was taken a Leprosarium. Edna swears that living with leprosy and branded a “leper” is a fate worse than death. It is a disease that leaves you and those sympathising with you in tears. The emotional trauma, untold suffering and agonies of persons in a leprosarium for those afflicted by leprosy is nothing to cheer about. The experience is unpalatable to anyone. The environment in which they are admitted and treated is not in anyway habitable, thereby making the situation more dehumanizing and agonizing.
The fate of Edna and about 3,500 Nigerians afflicted annually with leprosy hangs in the balance as new cases are being detected with little or no resources allocated to fight resurgence of the disease.
Most of the Leprosaria built in the country date back to the 1950s and are now dilapidated, unkempt and irritating.
Today, leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, is still a special public health problem in Nigeria due to the discrimination, stigmatisation, isolation, and destitution the patient suffers indignation within the community. A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. It is curable and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, says leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. WHO has maintained that early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
Although, Nigeria was removed from the list of countries with high endemicity in 1999 when it achieved the target of 1 case per 10,000, leprosy control activities have since nose dived.
Only recently, a public health expert, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, expressed concern over the gradual resurgence of leprosy in Nigeria.
According to the researcher, at the Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, new cases of leprosy were detected in some parts of the country, calling for more vigorous strategy to stop the spread of the disease.
“Nigerians should watch out for any strange lightening of the skin, skin lesion, white patches on the skin that has loss of sensation, persistent upper respiratory infections and swelling of any part of the nerve of the body. Those might be early forms of leprosy and it is better to tackle them at that stage; they can be arrested, they can be treated, and the person can be cured.
Just last week during the 61st World Leprosy Day, the National Director of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr. Udo Sunday, raised alarm over new cases of leprosy in Nigeria, saying that about 3,805 new cases of the disease were recorded in 2013.
More worrisome is the fact that out of the number, 10 per cent were children, and 12 per cent were already deformed as a result of lack of care. The North East zone of the country accounted for most of the cases.
Udo expressed fears of likely resurgence of the disease in the country if Federal Government does not step up its act.
He warned that Tanzania and Liberia were already experiencing resurgence of the disease, while 16 countries in the world today still found more than 1,000 new cases every year, including Nigeria.
“There is need to refocus and reprioritise leprosy control activity in Nigeria owing to the high percentage of childhood leprosy and WHO Grade 2 disability among newly diagnosed patients indicating sustained transmission and late reporting, respectively.
“Nigeria needs to put in more efforts in order to detect early cases because if they are not detected on time, they are bound to cause disabilities which have a socio-economic impact on the society.”.
Udo further disclosed that a survey revealed that 27 per cent of street beggars across the country were leprosy victims.
He called for the passage of Bill on Disabilities which is still pending before the National Assembly, saying that leprosy is not hereditary, but is exacerbated by lack of political commitment, inadequate low referral and high level of stigmatization of sufferers.
However, as those afflicted with the diseases look forward for a little attention, health watchers are of the view that the authorities will implement the global leprosy strategy 2011–2015 national leprosy programmes which focuses more on underserved populations and inaccessible areas to improve access and coverage.
To reach all patients, leprosy treatment needs to be fully integrated into general health services. Moreover, political commitment needs to be sustained in countries where leprosy remains a public health problem. Partners in leprosy elimination also need to continue to ensure that human and financial resources are available.
The age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. The image of leprosy has to be changed at the global, national and local levels. A new environment, in which patients will not hesitate to come forward for diagnosis and treatment at any health facility, must be created.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/leprosy-forgotten-disease-makes-comeback/#sthash.tjcQVEHv.dpuf
Leprosy Disease Stages A Come Back : Be Ware
![Leprosy Disease Stages A Come Back : Be Ware]()
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