Leprosy as a low prevalence disease

Abstract

With the rapid progress in the control of leprosy due to the implementation of WHOMDT and the positive modification carried out in the health services system that accompanied MDT introduction, the prevalence of leprosy is facing a steady reduction worldwide, making possible that in
the next 10 years leprosy becomes a low prevalence disease in endemic countries. At this stage, components of a leprosy control program should be reviewed as concern their priority. Maintenance of diagnosis and treatment services, supervision and an attentive surveillance system are fundamental. Support to Reference Centers is mandatory to guarantee their role as reservoir of knowledge and for the development of research still in need. POD and rehabilitation will play a predominant role provided leprosy is, at that time, to be regarded as a disability-and deformity- producing disease and there will be more time and funds available to be allocated to these activities since a significant load of cases in need for these activities will do exist, which should not and could not be ignored. From available data in the literature, the author presents an estimation on the size of the problem and suggest the adoption of new indicators.