news and media: news archives 2006
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September 2006
Experts Reach Consensus On Leprosy Care
More than 100 experts gathered in Cebu, Philippines during September to determine the best techniques for protecting leprosy-damaged limbs from permanent injury and disability.
“Disability from leprosy is a huge problem,” according to ALM medical director Dr. Paul Saunderson. “It is usually the disabilities that create stigma, rejection, poverty and despair.” Dr. Saunderson was one of the conference organizers.
The consensus conference was jointly sponsored by the World Health Organization, American Leprosy Missions, and ILEP (International Association of Anti-leprosy agencies).
Delegates considered five main questions:
- How can we make sure that people with reactions and neuritis are treated as early as possible?
- What simple approaches can be developed to promote home-based self-care?
- What are the prerequisites for an effective footwear program?
- For effective POD (prevention of disability) what are the essential recording and reporting requirements?
- What are the priorities for research in POD?
Click here to read the Consensus Panel’s summary statement.
This statement will be used to help anti-leprosy programs around the world plan their care and cure programs and ultimately help reduce the pain and poverty caused by leprosy-related disabilities.
For more information about the disabling effects of leprosy and efforts to address these issues, contact psaunderson@leprosy.org.
