Leprosy: urgent need to end stigma and isolation Myanmar, 6
February 2003 - The world is making great progress towards the
goal of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem. But
serious concerns remain in several countries, including India,
Nepal and Brazil. This was the message delivered at the opening
of the annual gathering here of leprosy endemic countries and
partners sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Myanmar itself, despite many obstacles in terms of resources,
security problems and geography, is close to meeting the target
of leprosy elimination. The country has managed to bring down
the number of cases from more than 53 per 10,000 population in
1987 to very slightly over one per 10,000 at the end of 2002.
Elsewhere, however, a combination of lack of political
commitment and social and organisational problems remain,
holding back progress. The global health community agreed in
1999 to create the Global Alliance to Eliminate Leprosy (GAEL)
with a target of eliminating leprosy as a p