Fighting the spread of leprosy in Madagascar

Madagascar is 587,000 square kilometres in size (roughly the size of France and Belgium combined). Its population however is only 22 million, meaning that there are fewer than 33 people per square kilometre. The remoteness of villages, lack of transport infrastructure and extreme poverty of its inhabitants create challenges for the delivery of leprosy services.

The National Leprosy Programme is integrated into the existing health structure. Treatment for leprosy, multi-drug therapy, is distributed free of charge through the 2480 health posts on the island. The aim of the National Programme is that each of these health posts is capable of suspecting and referring suspected cases of leprosy for testing, and of treating those who have been confirmed as having the disease.

Activities of Fondation Raoul Follereau supported by LEPRA Health in Action include:

• Supervisory visits with Ministry health staff to prevent leprosy related disabilities
• Training of medical and health staff on the disease
• 11 centres for treatment of leprosy reactions and neuritis (painful nerve inflammation)
• Other activities include support of local organisations providing food, housing, vocational training and specialist shoes for leprosy patients with disabilities.