Uganda Commemorates the World Leprosy Day

The Republic of Uganda MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Office of the Director General of Health Services - Public Relations Unit Director General’s Office: 256-414-340872 Fax: 256-41-4231584 [email protected]/[email protected] PRESS RELEASE

KAMPALA, 28/01/2015 - Uganda will tomorrow join the rest of the World to commemorate the 62nd World Leprosy Day which is held every January. This year, the day is being held under the theme, “Join the call to end Leprosy and its consequences” The slogan is: “The patch on your skin what could it be?”

Leprosy was documented in the medical institutions in Uganda since early 20th century and is one of the oldest known infectious diseases in Uganda. Countrywide, about 300 new Leprosy cases of whom about 10% children below fifteen years, are detected every year. The Northern, North Western, South Eastern and Eastern regions contribute more than 80% of all the Leprosy cases detected each year.

The treatment for Leprosy, all of which is taken by mouth, is available free of charge in all government and NGO hospitals. The DHOs office in each district is available to provide information about the nearest place to obtain treatment within each district. The treatment lasts six to 12 months depending on the disease classification.

Leprosy being a relatively rare disease is in most cases diagnosed late according to the Health Management Information System in the Ministry of Health. About a third of the new Leprosy patients get diagnosed with advanced Leprosy disease coupled with irreversible disabilities. The disease presents with painless pale patches on skins, loss of sensation to soft and no painful touch, loss vision, ulcers and burns on the hands and feet.

Efforts are on-going by the Ministry of Health and partners to sustain basic skills by health workers to recognize and manage Leprosy patients. There is however, still a lot of stigma and in some communities, discrimination of leprosy affected people. This contributes not only to delay of detection but also exclusion of Leprosy affected persons from opportunities for their social economic advancement. The national celebrations for the commemoration of the Day shall be in Asuret sub-county in Soroti District tomorrow. The function shall be preceded by awareness campaigns and skin camps jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, Soroti district local government and Leprosy partners in the country.

For further Information, Contact; Dr. Frank Mugabe on 0702431418 or Rukia Nakamatte Mbaziira – Public Relations Officer – 0774063888

For information on this and other media information contact PPU/State House