Let’s Talk Leprosy: A Modern Dilemma in a Quirky World
Ah, leprosy. The age-old disease that’s been hanging around since biblical times and still refuses to go quietly into that good night. And apparently, it’s not secretive about its comeback either! According to AIFO, a whopping three out of ten people globally lack access to essential health services, with 80% of them living in the poorest countries—where people don’t just struggle with leprosy but also, dare I say, societal clichés!
Antonio Lissoni, the president of AIFO (Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau), has some choice words: “Vulnerable women and men deserve fairer healthcare and a better life, regardless of where they were born.” And wouldn’t you know it, folks, they are actively working to create local healthcare solutions, strengthen national systems, and provide that all-important awareness-raising community work—because nothing says “I care” quite like community outreach!
The Leprosy Chronicles: Act Now!
So, let’s sit back and chew on this—on January 26, 2025, we get to celebrate the 72nd World Leprosy Day. A day dedicated to reminding us that leprosy is a curable disease, folks! But shhhhh—don’t tell the disease that because it’s still got a few tricks up its sleeve, especially in vulnerable countries where it still spreads like gossip in a small town.
Here’s the kicker: In 2023, there were 182,815 recorded cases of leprosy, marking a delightful 5% increase from the previous year! What a plot twist! So, while some of us are buying more hand sanitizers than we can count, leprosy is like that one ex who just won’t leave you alone.
Neglected Tropical Diseases: The Uninvited Guests
Leprosy is listed among the World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Diseases. Aren’t we all just thrilled at how they named that disease category? Sounds like a party theme gone wrong. And in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where economic conditions are as precarious as a cat walking on a tightrope, leprosy thrives.
This is where our friend Covid comes in, proving that globalized diseases are not just an occasional headline but rather the dish of the day! From 25 to 27 October, AIFO hosted a course for doctors to tackle leprosy diagnosis because let’s face it, diagnosing leprosy amongst its numerous dermatological siblings might as well be a game of “Guess Who?”.
A Faithful Appeal for Inclusion
And just when you think the drama couldn’t get more intense, along comes Pope Francis, urging us not to forget those stuck in the leprosy web. He’s all about treating people as people. What a radical idea, right? Treating the afflicted with dignity as full community members. I mean, imagine that! The Pope invites us to build an inclusive society that leaves no one behind—kind of like a team-building exercise for humanity.
Long story short, the appeal is clear—this disease hasn’t just slipped into oblivion with the help of modern medicine; it’s still tripping people up in the most disadvantaged corners of the globe. Thanks to stigma, discrimination, and the delightful cherry on top—human rights violations, the narrative still rings sadly relevant.
Conclusion: Let’s Not Ignore the Obvious
Nevertheless, we stand on the brink of progress. AIFO’s commitment to “restore personal dignity” shines through like a beacon. Who knew that a fight against a disease could lead to a broader battle against social injustice and exclusion? So let’s raise our glasses, nay, our health pamphlets, to fostering awareness and fighting stigma, paving the way to a future with less leprosy and more healthy humans living in harmony!
According to Aifo, globally, one in three individuals lacks access to essential health services, and alarmingly, 80% of these individuals reside in the world’s poorest regions. Vulnerable men and women, deserving of equitable healthcare and improved living conditions, often find themselves without the necessary resources “regardless of where they were born.” This dire situation has prompted Aifo to “promote local healthcare initiatives while strengthening national healthcare systems.” This strategy centers on prevention through heightened community awareness and extensive training for healthcare personnel. The Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau Ets, known as Aifo, is deeply committed to ceasing the transmission of leprosy and preventing disabilities associated with it. Furthermore, Aifo is focused on combating discrimination against individuals affected by leprosy, working tirelessly to dismantle the prejudice and stigma surrounding the disease. In line with this mission, Aifo strives to foster social inclusion and restore personal dignity to those marginalized by illness,” asserts the association’s president, Antonio Lissoni. Presently, Aifo oversees leprosy control and elimination programs across four countries: India, Brazil, Mozambique, and Guinea Bissau. The association endorses a comprehensive approach aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs) for 2030, which includes physical rehabilitation for people with disabilities, health education and information for communities, socio-economic inclusion, and advocacy for affected individuals and their families. Aifo’s initiatives in leprosy management adhere to the Road Map 2021-2030 for controlling neglected tropical diseases. These initiatives align with the World Health Organization’s Global Leprosy Strategy titled “Towards Zero Leprosy (2021-2030),” which aims for a significant reduction in the number of cases diagnosed each year, particularly among children and those suffering severe disabilities at the time of diagnosis.
Aifo campaign
“As Aifo, we engage in annual activities in Italy to combat leprosy and enhance awareness,” shares Aifo president Antonio Lissoni. A particularly notable event will occur on January 26, 2025, when the world will celebrate the 72nd World Leprosy Day. This occasion serves to emphasize the urgent need to maintain focus on this curable disease, which continues to pose a threat in vulnerable regions where the transmission chain remains active. Lissoni affirms, “We must act swiftly to halt its spread.” Despite global efforts, cases of leprosy continue to rise, in stark contrast to the objective laid out by the World Health Assembly, which has set a goal of achieving “zero leprosy” by 2030. In 2023, a staggering 182,815 global cases have been documented, reflecting a 5% increase compared to the prior year. This troubling data emerges from the latest annual report on leprosy trends released by the WHO, raising considerable concerns for Aifo. The organization has dedicated itself to inclusion and care for six decades, implementing concrete projects aimed at combating leprosy and addressing the injustices associated with the disease. An important gathering, the ILEP National Assembly, will take place in November in Bologna, uniting various international organizations committed to the fight against leprosy. During this assembly, discussions will include a groundbreaking experimental medicine designed to enhance the efficacy of current treatments.
Neglected tropical diseases
Leprosy is classified as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) highlighted by the World Health Organization, and remains a pressing health concern in numerous countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where persistent socioeconomic challenges exacerbate disease transmission. However, the impact of NTDs is relevant to all nations, a reality underscored by the Covid pandemic and the recent emergence of Dengue cases in Europe and Italy, revealing the global nature of diseases in an interconnected world. In response to this pressing issue, Aifo has partnered with the Local Health Authority of Naples to offer a specialized training course for medical professionals on leprosy diagnosis at the ASL Naples 1 Center’s hospital for pilgrims. Aifo’s extensive experience is invaluable in diagnosing this disease, which often presents complex challenges due to its similarities with various dermatological, neurological, and internal conditions. Analyzing recent WHO reports highlights a concerning concentration of diagnosed individuals in three countries: India, Brazil, and Indonesia account for 79.3% of total cases recorded, with India alone reporting 107,851 cases, Brazil 22,773, and Indonesia 14,376. Additional countries with notable diagnosed cases include Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and the Philippines, among others, all surpassing the milestone of 1,000 documented cases.
Brain Strategy
While the annual figures of diagnosed individuals offer valuable insight, they are insufficient for assessing the global impact of leprosy as a public health issue. Despite a gradual decline in the percentage of minors diagnosed in recent years, the absolute number remains concerningly high, indicating that the disease’s transmission continues unabated. In 2023, 10,322 of the new cases registered were among children under 15 years old, constituting 5.7% of the total cases. Furthermore, women represent a significant demographic, comprising 39.9% of global cases. WHO’s comprehensive strategies for disease eradication emphasize bolstering treatment services to facilitate early diagnoses and enhance the overall quality of care. Nevertheless, recent data reveals that the number of individuals presenting with severe disabilities at the time of diagnosis continues to trend upward. In 2023, out of those diagnosed, 9,729 individuals (5.3%) encountered serious disabilities, including 266 children (2.7%), a notable increase from the previous year. This alarming statistic indicates that factors such as inadequate understanding of the disease’s symptoms within communities and barriers to access continue to result in delayed diagnoses where patients often face irreversible physical disabilities. To combat this trend, Aifo employs community-level health education initiatives to encourage early diagnosis among affected individuals, although WHO findings indicate persistent discrimination against leprosy patients in numerous countries, where discriminatory laws against the disease still exist.
Pope’s appeal
Pope Francis calls on us to remain vigilant and not overlook the reality that leprosy continues to afflict many, particularly in impoverished regions. “We must examine how best to collaborate with those suffering from leprosy, treating them as full individuals and recognizing them as central figures in their struggle for the fundamental human rights they are entitled to, allowing them to live as integral members of society,” advocates the Pope. He encourages us to “renew our commitment to constructing an inclusive society that leaves no one marginalized.” Furthermore, “denunciation must be accompanied by actionable proposals, blending the inherent goodness already present with prophetic visions that inspire meaningful charity and foster a more just coexistence.” The Pope aspires for local churches to actively support those rejected by society and facilitate processes of inclusion and integral human development. This necessitates gathering diverse voices globally and discussing measures to enhance respect for human dignity. Leprosy, historically recognized as Hansen’s disease, poses serious human rights challenges, with its stigma perpetuating significant violations in various regions of the world. “Let us not forget these brothers and sisters in need. We must not turn a blind eye to this disease, which sadly affects many, particularly within the most disadvantaged social contexts,” implores Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He insists on the urgent need to “reevaluate our development models and denounce, as well as rectify, prevailing discrimination.”
