| – Dr Morris-WilsonBy Rabindra Rooplall Guyana will be joining the world today (January 25) in observance of World Leprosy Day as local efforts are intensified to raise awareness about the disease.According to Dr Heather Morris-Wilson of the local Leprosy Control programme, Guyana has achieved elimination of leprosy as a public health problem (defined by WHO as a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 inhabitants), even though no information is available on regional prevalence.The Leprosy Team includes Dr Morris-Wilson, Nurse Wendy Bowman (Health Visitor) Nurse Sheila Durga (Nursing Assistant) and Miss EvelynDr Heather Morris-Wilson with a Leprosy poster at one of the schools visitedStewart (Driver).Dr Morris-Wilson explained that over the past 20 years, more than 14 million leprosy patients have been cured, about 4 million since 2000.“This global day of awareness aims to create a stream of prayer and support for those affected by leprosy.In 1991, WHO’s governing body, the World Health Assembly (WHA), passed a resolution to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000. The target was achieved on time and the widespread use of Multi-Drug-Therapy (MDT) reduced the disease burden dramatically.”The doctor noted that the age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. She said 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.The number of new cases of leprosy reported by 130 countries in 2012 was 232,857. The worldwide registered prevalence at the end of the first quarter of 2013 was 189,018 cases.Dr Morris-Wilson underscored that the control and elimination of leprosy is part of the activities carried out against skin diseases, for which a (dermatology) programme has been put in place by the Ministry of Health. Activities rely on 14 dermatology clinics located in Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six and 10, while Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine are currently not covered by the programme.Clinics are staffed with nurses and are visited regularly by the national coordinator (a dermatologist or general medical practitioner) from Georgetown, usually at monthly intervals. Detection of cases mainly relies on passive case-finding, but active case-finding is still implemented in some areas, especially when and where clusters of cases are identified. Multi-drug therapy (MDT) against leprosy is provided by PAHO/WHO at no cost.“Efforts currently focus on eliminating leprosy at a national level in the remaining endemic countries and at a sub-national level from the others. In order to reach all patients, treatment of leprosy needs to be fully integrated into general health services. This is a key to successful elimination of the disease,” Dr. Morris-Wilson emphasized.In explaining the cause of Leprosy, the specialist related that the infectious disease is caused by a bacterium. It has a chronic course with very alarming complications if not diagnosed in time. Leprosy is not a threat in Guyana and according to the World Health Organization’s standards, this country has eliminated leprosy at a national level.The Leprosy Clinic diagnoses less than 100 new cases per year with cases oscillating from 25 to 35. In 2003, the clinic recorded 53 cases, which was the highest amount ever.However,NBA Jerseys From China, Dr. Morris-Wilson said the bacteria that causes leprosy multiplies very slowly (every 14-30 days) so it could take years before it manifests itself in an individual. This infectious disease that is mainly spread by droplets via the upper respiratory tract looks like a common skin problem such as ringworm , “mad bumps” and even “lotta”.“But, even with its various presentations the most common sign is a rash, lighter than the colour of the surrounding skin with loss of sensation, hence it is termed the ‘numb spot disease”. If a doctor does not think about leprosy when looking at skin rashes it could go undetected. Leprosy is contagious, especially among family members if a person that resides in the home is infected and is not on treatment.There are two types of leprosy- mild and severe. The mild type is called pauci-bacillary leprosy (PB leprosy) and infected persons are treated for six months,” Dr Morris-Wilson informed.Meanwhile, she noted that the severe type, multi-bacillary leprosy (MB leprosy), occurs when persons have high bacterial load and they have to undergo treatment for one to two years. Leprosy at this stage could be transmitted to the household.“The longer the infection is undetected the person is more likely to experience complications, for example, chronic ulcers of the feet and blindness, because the bacteria has a preference for the peripheral nerves of the body. It is unlikely that a person will die from leprosy. Leprosy Awareness and Education to the population is very important so that we do not forget about this disease.”In concluding, the doctor stressed that Leprosy is neither hereditary or a curse and it is easily diagnosed from clinical signs alone. Multi-Drug-Therapy (MDT) kills germs and stops the spread of leprosy after the first dose. Patients on treatment do not spread leprosy, while MDT is available free of charge. Early and regular treatment prevents deformities and patients who complete treatment are totally cured, even if they have residual skin patches or disabilities. Patients can lead completely normal lives during and after their treatment.“The public should always be vigilant of their skin, looking for spots that are not improving with conventional topical medical treatment, and especially if the spot is numb.” |
