More leprosy projects in Brazil

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Brazil is highly symbolic in the fight against leprosy as it is the world’s second most endemic country, after India. Leprosy has been a problem in Brazil since the 16^th century but, contrary to other countries, the annual number of leprosy patients in Brazil is hardly decreasing. The number has stagnated at around 38,000 for the past 6 years, with 38,914 newly detected cases of leprosy in Brazil in 2008 (Figures from the WHO Weekly Epidemiological record, 14/08/09 No. 33 2009, 84). 

Brazil poses challenges in the fight against leprosy…
The development of shanty towns known as “favelas” in Brazil’s major cities has also played a part in accelerating the transmission of leprosy. Living conditions in favelas tend to be poor with inadequate hygiene and sanitation, lowering residents’ immunity to the disease.  Many large families share poorly ventilated homes, enabling the disease to spread more rapidly.

The challenges in the fight against leprosy in Brazil, much like those in any of the countries LEPRA Health in Action works in, include a lack of human resources, high turnover of health staff.  An additional problem in Brazil is the weak decentralisation of leprosy services. Patients must therefore often travel long distances to receive the services they need, many are unable to afford this.

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