MALC plans to introduce single-dose medicine for leprosy patients

KARACHI: Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre(MALC) plans to start a pilot project in Karachi and one district of Balochistan to implement single-dose medicine (Rifampicin) for patients living with leprosy.  

Leprosy experts expressed these views, including Mervyn Lobo, Chief Executive Officer, MALC, Dr Ali Murtaza, Director Training. MALC, and Savio Pereira, Director Human Resources & Administration, MALC, at a press briefing to observe World Leprosy Day 2022 in Karachi. Board of Director, Administrative Staff, and Leprosy patients were also present on occasion. 

This year, World Leprosy Day 2022 theme was United for Dignity. This day was commemorated to refresh the world to pledge alliance with people affected by leprosy. No disease in the modern world had faced the stigma of equal nature as leprosy. MALC has been eradicating Leprosy from Pakistan for the last 69 years. 

Mervyn Lobo said that WHO recommends the implementation of Single Dose Rifampicin to all contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients. It is claimed that this single-dose treatment would give 55 per cent to 60 per cent positive effects against leprosy. He further enlightened that this medicine was successfully being used in different countries. 

He explained that last year 225 new Leprosy cases were registered. Out of the, 13 were children, while 28 cases were found deformed.  

“Sindh has the highest number of Leprosy patients from Pakistan. In 2020, there were 81 newly registered patients. So far in Pakistan, there had been 58,500 registered patients, and by the grace of God, 91 per cent have been completely cured, and the individuals are leading a normal life,” he expressed.  

He further proclaimed that the new Leprosy cases were less than 1 per cent, patients under treatment were less than one in every 10,000, disability ratio was less than one in 100,000, and among children, the ratio was less than 1 in a million children population.  

He informed that Dr Ruth Pfau- a Founder member of MALC, had devoted 57 years of her life to the cause and passed away at the age of 87. To preserve her fond memories, MALC had converted her residence into a museum showcasing her belongings, awards, publications and some rare, priceless pictures. This museum was inaugurated last year on World Leprosy Day and was opened to the public. 

Dr Ali Murtaza, in his remarks, said that Leprosy Control does not mean that it had been eradicated despite all of the achievements. There were still many cases that could infect others. They need to be detected early so that they can be treated to stop the further spread of the disease. Every year number of new cases was being reduced, and almost +/- 300 new cases were registered annually. It seems leprosy would still be prevalent considering the slow and variable incubation period. The services have to be kept up for 3 to 4 decades. 

 It is essential to mention that though there had been a decline in new cases after Leprosy Control, it has been at a languid pace.