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Towards zero leprosy. Global leprosy (‎Hansen’s Disease)‎ strategy 2021–2030

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO), REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA
April 2021

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The Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 “Towards zero leprosy” was developed through a broad consultative process with all major stakeholders during 2019 and 2020. Valuable inputs were provided by national leprosy programme managers, technical agencies, public health and leprosy experts, funding agencies and persons or members of communities directly affected by leprosy.

The Strategy aims to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is structured along four pillars:

(‎i)‎ implement integrated, country-owned zero leprosy road maps in all endemic countries;
(‎ii)‎ scale up leprosy prevention alongside integrated active case detection;
(‎iii)‎ manage leprosy and its complications and prevent new disability; and
(‎iv)‎ combat stigma and ensure human rights are respected. Interruption of transmission and elimination of disease are at the core of the Strategy

Management of leprosy reactions and prevention of disability

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO), REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA
May 2020

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The World Health Organisation has issued new Technical Guidance on management of leprosy reactions and prevention of disability. The guidance originated in an informal consultation in late 2018 where numerous ILEP technical specialists were involved.

The Technical Guidance provides updated and detailed guidance on critically important actions to prevent disability. Main chapters include:

  • Distinction between the different types of leprosy reaction – how they present, how they are managed and the potential consequences if not managed well
  • How to assess nerve function and undertake sensory testing and voluntary muscle testing, so as to recognise nerve damage as early as possible
  • How to recognise early, and correctly treat, leprosy reactions and neuritis, so as to avoid irreversible nerve damage and the resulting disability. There are separate chapters for the medical management and for front-line health workers, including a useful step-by-step guide

A feature that users may find especially useful is a set of flow-charts, or algorithms, towards the end of the publication, which are a visual guide to making the right clinical decisions.

Report of the informal consultation on stopping discrimination and promotion inclusion of persons affected by Leprosy. New Delhi, 14–16 Nov 2017

COOREMAN, Erwin
WHO SEARO/Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases
et al
2018

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An Informal Consultation on Stopping Discrimination and Promoting Inclusion of Persons Affected by Leprosy was held in New Delhi from 14 to 16 November 2017. Forty delegates with diverse backgrounds, experience and expertise enriched the discussions. Persons affected by leprosy brought to the table the challenges faced in daily life and suggested actions to be taken to reduce stigma and discrimination related to leprosy. Representatives of national programmes presented actions taken in their respective countries. The participants acknowledged the fact that stigma and discrimination related to leprosy still exists at a significant level. Information about stigma and discrimination related to leprosy needs to be collected in a more systematic manner to assess the magnitude of the problem and to further plan activities to reduce it.

Key recommendations from the consultation included counselling and reporting of incidences of discrimination. Efforts should be continued to inform facts about leprosy to the community.

The participants strongly recommended that leprosy programmes should adopt a ‘rights-based approach’ in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

WHO/ILEP technical guide on community-based rehabilitation and leprosy

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
INTERANTIONAL FEDERATION OF ANTI-LEPROSY ASSOCIATIONS (ILEP)
2007

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This technical guide provides a reorientation and familiarisation tool for managers of leprosy projects and programmes. The analysis includes an outline of the broad objectives of CBR, the roles and tasks of programme managers, and the responsibilities of community workers. This resource would be useful for anyone with an interest in disability and development

Neglected tropical diseases : hidden successes, emerging opportunities

World Health Organization [WHO]
2006

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This report looks at neglected tropical diseases. These diseases particularly affect poor and disadvantaged people with limited access to health services and have a low profile and status in public health priorities. Despite the challenges involved, some progress has been made through interventions around particular diseases in certain countries. This report highlights some of those successes

Global strategy for further reducing the leprosy burden and sustaining leprosy control activities 2006-2010 : operational guidelines

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) : REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA
2006

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The purpose of these guidelines is to help managers of national health services to implement the new Global Strategy in their own countries. They will help managers to choose which activities can be carried out at the primary health care level and for which aspects of care patients will have to be referred. They suggest a greater emphasis on the assessment of disability at diagnosis, so that those at particular risk can be recognised and managed appropriately. They also cover prevention of disability, rehabilitation, recording and reporting and programme management. The French version of the guidelines is an unofficial translation

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