Mauritania progressing towards zero leprosy cases

Nouakchott – Mauritania has witnessed a foremost decline in leprosy cases since consequently of sustained efforts which admire led to improvements in prevention, detection and cure. Handiest 17 unusual cases admire been recorded in 2023 compared with 42 reported in 2010.

Amongst the important thing aspects within the country’s combat towards leprosy – an infectious bacterial illness that essentially impacts the skin, nerves and mucous membranes and might presumably trigger severe disabilities if no longer detected early and handled – are prevention, active case finding, cure of issues and combating stigma.

For Mariam*, a resident of Arafat district within the capital of Nouakchott, facing stigma after being diagnosed with the illness, which she first and most principal even supposing changed into once a straightforward skin suppose, has been significantly refined, she says. “I changed into once surprised by the leprosy prognosis, however I made a decision to preserve gentle and level of interest on the cure. The hardest phase changed into once coping with the stigma: the appears and judgements of various of us admire been most frequently too laborious to have.”

In at-likelihood communities, significantly low earnings and with restricted compile admission to to neatly being care, an active screening diagram helps in early case detection, increasing the potentialities of recovery with out sequelae and curbing the spread of the illness. “To be efficient, the plump route of the cure ought to be followed, between 6 and one year, reckoning on the severity of the case. A patient below cure is no longer contagious,” says Dr Salma Yahya, dermatologist and medical officer in charge of diagnosing and treating patients with leprosy at the National Hospital Centre of Nouakchott. 

In the efforts to raise public awareness and reduce stigma, health personnel and community workers insist on the importance of seeking early medical attention. “We ensure that anyone affected by this disease, wherever they are, have equal chance to be diagnosed and treated,” says Dr Elhadj Malick Kane, coordinator of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme. 

Mauritania eliminated leprosy as a public health problem. Thanks to sustained efforts by the Ministry of Health with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners.

WHO continues to support Mauritania in addressing the threat of leprosy. More than 30 health workers have been trained in early diagnosis and effective treatment. The Organization provides medicines and supports contact tracing as well as diagnosis and preventive treatment within families and communities to interrupt transmission. Thanks to the holistic approach that comprises treatment, public awareness drives and monitoring of patients has seen treatment completion rate rise to over 90% in 2023.

“Thousands of patients have been cured thanks to the free treatment. We are continuing our efforts to support the country to achieve interruption of transmission and complete elimination of leprosy through early detection, effective treatment and enhanced community awareness,” says Dr Babacar Dieye, in charge of encompass neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) at WHO in Mauritania. Our support covers all neglected tropical diseases to strengthen the country’s health system and sustainably improve the quality of life of the populations.”

Mauritania is working towards interrupting transmission and achieving zero cases of leprosy. Combating stigma is a key component in achieving these goals. “Leprosy is often perceived as a disease that cause disability and many mistakenly believe that it has been eradicated. This [belief] fuels stigma,” says Dr Yahya. “With awareness campaigns, the population understands the disease better, and this helps to reduce stigma.”

Mauritania has also integrated leprosy screening and treatment into its comprehensive NTD control programme. For patients, post-treatment monitoring is helping to manage complications and reduce the chances of recurrence.

“I had monthly appointments to check my health and adjust the treatment if necessary,” says Mariam. My doctor always answered my questions and reassured me about the treatment and follow-up. The quality of care I received was excellent.”

* Not her real name.