Leprosy control and the new WHO strategy

Leprosy Mailing List, March 29^th, 2009

 

Ref.:    Leprosy control and the new WHO strategy

From:  Diefenhardt A., Würzburg , Germany

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Dear Salvatore and dear Dr Pannikar,

 

I refer to Dr Porichha’s message (LML March 23^rd, 2009, “Elimination is the zero incidence of the disease in some part of the world at a given time”).  Let us hope that the clarity of this intervention will be part of the next WHO strategy where we need a clear understanding of what we are talking about and what we are dealing with when it comes to “eliminate” or control leprosy.  We need clear definitions on elimination and control and should abide to the fact that we aim to control leprosy given the current tools at hand.

 

The question is if – with the present indicators – we are satisfied to know if we are doing our job well when it comes to controlling leprosy.  This is what good policies or strategies are about and why they are needed.

 

Yours,

 

Dr Adolf Diefenhardt

Head Medical Social Project Department

DAHW/GLRA

Würzburg

Germany