Leprosy and human African trypanosomiasis programme managers are currently meeting in Yaounde.

Information from the World Health Organisation Office for Africa (AFRO) reveals that Leprosy and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) are two major neglected tropical diseases with heavy social and economic burden on its victims.

It is within this backdrop that the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Health, Alim Hayatou yesterday November 11 in Yaounde, opened a three-day annual meeting of leprosy and human African trypanosomiasis programme managers. The managers are discussing issues related to strategic orientations for an integrated Case Management strategy.  

While opening the meeting organised by AFRO in collaboration with partners; NGOs and the International Federation of Anti Leprosy Association (ILEP), Alim Hayatou said although Cameroon is amongst the low endemic countries with leprosy and HAT, there is need for continuous joint efforts to eradicate the diseases due to its social burden on those affected who are already poor. While lauding WHO for the constant support in curbing leprosy and HAT in Cameroon, Alim Hayatou urged participants from over 20 African countries to share new ideas that will greatly help to develop a framework for coordinated leprosy and HAT case management in Africa.

The WHO Country Representative, Dr Charlotte Faty Ndiaye, said HAT (sleeping sickness, amongst others) is a threat to millions of people in 36 endemic countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the people live in remote areas with limited access to adequate health services which impedes case finding, treatment and surveillance activities. Dr Faty Ndiaye also noted that between 2005 and 2011, the regional prevalence of leprosy dropped from 43,536 to 27,290 cases, which represented more than 37 per cent reduction during that period.

In spite of this reduction, the WHO Country Representative said high leprosy endemic districts are still found in many countries. As such, experts at the current meeting that ends tomorrow, will not only analyse the epidemiological trends of leprosy at district level and HAT in the endemic zones, but will also review the monitoring and evaluation indicators and the new reporting forms as well as agree upon a framework for coordinating leprosy and HAT case management in the African Region.