Hanseniasis: leprosy, under law's sight

Abstract

This analysis aim is to show and to discuss public policies applied to control and fight against transmissible diseases in general, and particularly against hanseniasis, and their evolution during the last years, in Brazil. We have collected and resumed a great number of legal papers from Health Federal Legislation subscribed by National Congress or dispatched by offidai institutions attached to Public Health. The study ofprophylactic and assistential actions provided by brazillian's government has shown their reorientation in the last ten years. Expressed meaningfully by the change of official nomenclature about hanseniasis/leprosy, the new attitude of Public Health services is criticized in its purpose to institute and establish in society the notion of "beneficial State".