Leprosy prevention and treatment knowledge and Q&A

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2014-07-15

Q: What are China’s goal in eliminating leprosy?

A: In 2011, a total of 11 government departments jointly issued the National Leprosy Elimination Plan (2011-2020). The plan proposes to reduce the number of leprosy patients by 50 percent by 2020 as compared with 2010. It will also work to keep the leprosy rate under 1 per 100,000 people in 98 percent of counties (cities), and the second-degree disability rate under 20 percent among new patients.

Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid disability, and standard treatments can cure the disease.

Q: How can you treat leprosy?

At the moment, the major treating method is combined chemotherapy using RFP, DDS and B663 as recommended by the WHO. Outpatient treatment for half a year or a year will produce satisfactory results. Early and immediate treatment can avoid disabilities caused by leprosy.

The theme of this year’s International Leprosy Day is “speed up actions to eliminate leprosy.”

Q: What day is International Leprosy Day?

A: In 1954, the WHO penciled in the last Sunday in every January as International Leprosy Day. Many countries will hold various events on the day to encourage social forces to help leprosy patients overcome life and work challenges, creating a supportive social environment.

Q: What harm does leprosy bring?

A: Infected patients may experience complete loss of work ability and damage to physical health; prejudice against leprosy patients caused by misunderstanding of the disease and corresponding negative impact on the patients, their family and society; increased social burden; and health resources consumption.

Q: What measures can be applied to eliminate the impact of leprosy?

A: All government departments and social sectors should be encouraged to eliminate the impact brought by leprosy and reduce burdens incurred by the disease. They should strengthen early detection and treatment to avoid disability, step up publicity and education to raise public awareness of the disease, eliminate social prejudice, increase care and support to leprosy patients, and carry forward good social customs that respects and cares for leprosy patients.