Health Protection Agency (HPA) has begun testing for leprosy in 100 islands.
HPA began the survey with the help of international experts as part of the Zero Leprosy programme. Health workers have been provided with information on the process of screening the residents of the islands to detect the disease. The work also involves making an assessment and increasing public awareness on leprosy. The agency stated that designating the islands as leprosy-free communities this year would be a major step towards achieving its goal of eliminating the disease in the country.
HPA stated that upon completion of the work, the Maldives may officially become the first country in the world to eliminate leprosy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will confirm the elimination of a disease in a population after conducting the relevant surveys.
The government launched the Zero Leprosy programme with the aim of eliminating disease by 2030. However, the programme was postponed until now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although a few cases of Leprosy have been reported in the Maldives each year, the spread of the disease has been controlled in par with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. The Maldives now sees an average of 7-10 leprosy cases a year and no case has been reported so far this year.
Leprosy is a contagious disease that can be cured by multi-drug therapy if treatment begins early. HPA has stated that patients identified with leprosy are assisted and treated by a team of specialist doctors. With the help of local health centres, HPA further shares information with family, friends and relatives of the patients on taking preventive measures in order to ensure they are safe.