Maldives is declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the first country to interrupt the spread of leprosy.
At the WHO South East Asia Regional conference currently being held in New Delhi, India, the Regional Director Dr Poonam presented Health Minister Ahmed Naseem with the award commemorating the achievement.
On a post on social media X today, the Health Ministry shared this news and expressed gratitude towards the numerous health service personnel who worked in halting the spread of the disease in the country.
Today, Maldives has been recognised by WHO as the first country to have achieved interruption of transmission of leprosy. Congratulations to all healthcare personnel past and present, who worked tirelessly to ensure the country is free of this debilitating disease. @WHOSEARO pic.twitter.com/6a6FWxTG6g
— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) October 31, 2023
The Ministry announced that 178 islands in the country are free of leprosy by 2023, as per a verification assessment headed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
While leprosy was common in the Maldives in the past, the introduction of relevant medication in 1982 and through the provision of quality care, the number of persons affected decreased significantly. In 1997, it was declared that leprosy was no longer a threat to public health.
Leprosy cases are noted at a rate of about 7 to 10 in a year, in very few islands. HPA has announced that no cases have been reported so far as of August this year.
The Dermatology Department of IGMH, in collaboration with health facilities in islands, lead the efforts of monitoring, treating and testing patients suffering from leprosy under their direct supervision.
In 2019, a program was led under the title "Zero Leprosy" aiming to eradicate the disease from Maldives. After interruptions due to the covid pandemic, the program was restarted in over 100 islands.
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