KARACHI: Speakers at an event marking World Leprosy Day on Monday said the eradication of leprosy was being successfully achieved through concerted efforts in the country, which had been initiated and spearheaded by Dr Ruth Pfau throughout her life.

“The elimination of leprosy is successfully being achieved. However, elimination does not guarantee the end of story,” said Mervyn Lobo, chief executive officer of the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), at a programme organised by the charity at the Arts Council.

He said there were many challenges in terms of physical and social rehabilitation which needed to be overcome to totally eliminate the disease.

Speakers said the achievement of gradual elimination of leprosy was because of the concerted efforts of a team of committed workers.

“Leprosy elimination does not mean that disease has been eradicated from the country. It is urged for people to eliminate stigma attached to the disease and their tendency to ostracise the sufferer,” said Mr Lobo.

He said there was need to create public awareness to minimise the burden of the disease.

The audience was informed that after the control of leprosy in 1996, so far MALC had achieved the targets as per standards developed by the WHO. The latest updates according to WHO’s standards were, 0.19pc new cases, among them disability ratio was 0.12pc and children were approximately seven per cent in them.

The prevalence of the disease reduced to the extent that the World Health Organisation declared the disease to be under control in Pakistan, one of the first countries in EMRO region to achieve that goal.

“Despite all achievements, there are still many cases that can infect others. These need to be found early so they can be treated to further stop the spread of the disease,” said a speaker.

The MALC official acknowledged the support of the federal and provincial governments along with corporate partners and international partners dedicated to the cause.

They said MALC had registered 202,222 TB patients, among them over 87,000 were sputum positive who could be a cause for spreading of the disease. Likewise, they facilitated 200,000 eye patients free of charge, among them 4,000 cataract surgeries were also performed through the base hospitals and surgical eye camps.

Every year more than 100,000 children are screened for refractive errors and vitamin A capsules are given to those who have deficiency.

Mr Lobo said MALC had been working to eliminate leprosy from Pakistan for the last 60 years.

He said the World Leprosy Day symbolised the feeling of togetherness and love with the patients affected by leprosy. Besides, it also provided an opportunity “to all of us working for leprosy to come closer and renew our commitment for a Leprosy free world”.

Sindh health secretary Dr Fazlullah Pechuho paid rich tribute to the selfless services of Dr Ruth Pfau for the country, and stressed that the efforts and work should continue with the same zeal.

MALC board members Dr Mutahir Zia, Dr Ali Murtaza and Nisar Ahmed Malik, leprosy patients and the public also attended the event.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2018