KARACHI, Feb 18: The Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre will celebrate 50th anniversary of Leprosy Control Programme, Pakistan, from August 2005 to August 2006 commemorating the journey that was initiated in 1956.

The efforts, which began from a tiny shed built by the leprosy patients themselves from wooden fruit crates under the guidance of a young Mexican lady and later taken upon by Dr Ruth Pfau in 1960, has been gradually developed into the National Leprosy Control Programme.

Sheer hard work and absolute commitment of individuals associated with the efforts managed to achieve the first objective of controlling the disease in 1996. At present, leprosy prevalence has declined to less than one active case in 10,000 people, the danger threshold below which the diseases cease to be a public health problem.

However, it is reminded that although leprosy in Pakistan has been controlled and victory over leprosy bacillus has been achieved, the disease itself is still inflicting long-term psychological, physical and social suffering on the former patients. The leprosy disease has not yet been conquered, not until the patients' life is normalized.

To reach this elimination goal, hard work will be required during the next two decades. For the very purpose, a multi-pronged approach is being adopted attending medical as well as the social problems of the patients, living in abject poverty and isolation. -APP