In case of secondary infection, leprosy can lead to tissue loss causing fingers and toes to become shortened and deformed. Also known as Hansen’s disease (HD), leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacteria leprae transmitted from one person to the other by respiratory droplets through cough or sneezing.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare notes that Tanzania has made commendable strides in the fight against the disease.
Currently, there is less than one patient per 10,000 population, compared to 16 cases per 10,000 in 1983. Regional TB/Leprosy Coordinator, Dr Mbarouk Khakeif, says the country has for the last three decades successfully executed a comprehensive strategy to wipe out the contagious disease, which according to WHO is among the so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
“We advocate patients to seek medical advice as early as possible so that treatment can be administered immediately to prevent disabilities,” he stressed. Leprosy usually takes about three to five years for symptoms to appear.But experts say since Mycobacteria leprae multiplies very slowly it might take up to 20 years for the disease to progress and symptoms to appear.
Dr Khakeif told the ‘Sunday News’ that statistics indicate Ilala I Region under the national leprosy programme in a period between April and June 2015, had 20 leprosy patients out of them nine have disability grade 1 and 2 showing that still there is delay in seeking medical treatment for leprosy leading to disabilities.
Statistics show that leprosy prevalence rates per region in 2012 was high in Rukwa, Lindi and Mtwara compared to other regions in the country.
These regions are located in border areas, reflecting that some patients have moved in from neighbouring countries in search of medical support.
TB/Leprosy programmes were launched in 1977 and at that time the rate of prevalence was alarming, thus deliberate efforts were taken by the government in collaboration with WHO to wipe out the disease.
Dr Khakeif assured the public that drugs for leprosy treatment were available and even when shortages were reported, stocks could be replenished within a couple of weeks.
He said so far 95 per cent of leprosy patients in the country were about to complete treatment and the death rate from leprosy is less than one per cent.
“Most people living with leprosy are suffering and in many cases incur social stigma and their plight is not well addressed,” he said.
Dr Khakeif, however, said it was an encouraging fact that treatment and management of leprosy is simple because once the patient tests positive to the disease and starts receiving treatment, he or she recovers fast.
“After every 3 months you do thorough assessment to the patient until he finishes the course ... and then you continue with follow up for further two years because some patient develop reaction to dead bacteria within the body ... the phenomenon that can lead to disabilities,” he explains.
He also confirmed that there was no need for protective gear to those handling leprosy cases, but it is still important to know how the disease is transmitted and follow the standard operating procedures.type of leprosy the patient has, treatment can take between six to eight months and up to one year.
He also said to reinforce public education and awareness on management of leprosy, municipals provide health education to patients about care of ulcers and wounds.
One of the victims said that it was unfortunate that patients have no forum of their own to fight for their rights. “Leprosy victims are not well represented in the policy forum, as we cannot air our grievances to the government,” he said. “I am planning to leave Dar es Salaam to my village in one of the districts in Coast Region,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ‘Final Push’ strategy for elimination which is a global strategy overseen by WHO is based on expanding multi-drug therapy (MDT) services to all health facilities.
SA man jailed for staying illegally in the country From ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar A TWENTY-six-year old South African man who tried to trick his way to a new life in Tanzania has been jailed for three years.
Rikado Moyce, 26, was sentenced to three years or pay 500,000/- when he appeared at Vuga Regional Magistrate Court last Tuesday. He failed to pay the fine and was taken to jail.
After investigation and interrogation, the court was informed that the convict overstayed his visa, but later used a fake Tanzania ID card in the name of Imani Jade Haifa to fraudulently get into Zanzibar Islands for employment.
The Immigration officers at Zanzibar Malindi Port suspected him after failing to answer some questions and speak local language (Kiswahili).
“Later investigations found that he had used the false identity. He entered Tanzania through Mbeya in April last year, and lived in Arusha.
/Daily News.
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