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January 31, 2012

Education, policies, R&D identified as priority areas in strengthening country’s leprosy control program

  • To strengthen the National Leprosy Control Program government and private sector stakeholders should focus on enhancing leprosy education, policies and research & development.
  • This is the key recommendation of a survey conducted by the Culion Foundation, Inc. and presented during the 1st Leprosy Stakeholders Symposium held on January 25, 2012 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
  • Organized by the Department of Health in cooperation with the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development as part of activities leading up to the observance of World Leprosy Day on January 30, 2012, the groundbreaking symposium gathers the country’s major stakeholders and partners in leprosy control with the goal of eliminating leprosy in areas of the Philippines where the disease is still endemic.

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, January 25, 2012 – To strengthen the National Leprosy Control Program (NLCP), government and private sector stakeholders should focus on enhancing leprosy education, policies and research & development (R&D). This is the key recommendation of a survey conducted by the Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) and presented during the 1st Leprosy Stakeholders Symposium held on January 25, 2012 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Organized by the Department of Health (DOH) in cooperation with the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (NFSD) as part of activities leading up to the observance of World Leprosy Day on January 30, 2012, the groundbreaking symposium gathers the country’s major stakeholders and partners in leprosy control with the goal of eliminating leprosy in areas of the Philippines where the disease is still endemic.

While the Philippines has met the elimination target of a national leprosy prevalence rate of less than 1 in 10,000 population, there are still pocket areas in the country with relatively high prevalence rates, according to CFI President Dr. Alberto G. Romualdez who discussed the survey results.

“These three priority areas—education, policies, R&D—are interconnected and, therefore, stakeholder collaboration in all levels of leprosy control is vital if the Philippines is to achieve an acceptable level of leprosy control,” Dr. Romualdez stressed.

Commissioned by NFSD to serve as a baseline for discussion during the symposium, the survey utilized a specially developed interview guide to get the inputs of representatives of 24 different stakeholders from government agencies and civil society organizations regarding their experiences in implementing the NLCP.

Survey respondents noted the need to intensify the leprosy eradication campaign (LEC) by stepping up public awareness initiatives on disease prevention and treatment, and continuing education on leprosy management for healthcare professionals. They recommended implementing awareness campaigns in communities and schools, utilizing media and celebrities to promote public awareness, and educating persons affected by leprosy (PALs) and their family on treatment, proper hygiene, and nutrition.

Survey respondents also underscored the importance of drafting and implementing the appropriate policies. These include standardizing and ensuring compliance with NLCP policies and protocols, updating leprosy case management guidelines, developing a standardized leprosy case reporting form, drafting relevant policies protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, and establishing a NLCP organizational framework, among others.

Lastly, survey respondents urged government and civil society organizations to invest in R&D on leprosy control. They recommended public-private partnerships to provide technical support on leprosy R&D, develop a low-cost but accurate diagnostic test for leprosy, and establish research facilities for leprosy.

Specific recommendations of survey respondents include:

  • Use technology to improve and simplify information systems to enhance clinical decisions and program evaluation.
  • Conduct regular capacity building to keep healthcare professionals and community members updated on the latest leprosy management strategies.
  • Establish community-based skin clinics and leprosy centers to facilitate self-reporting, active case finding and treatment.
  • Ensure general hospitals have at least one leprosy expert to manage PALs. Sanitaria may still function as specialty centers for PALs with complications.
  • Improve referral systems to facilitate speedy and efficient referral of PALs with complications.
  • Ensure coordination between DOH and local government units in implementing NLCP.
  • Implement an anti-stigma campaign to dispel misconceptions on leprosy and other communicable diseases to increase self-reporting and treatment compliance.
  • Formulate a clearcut strategic plan with measurable indicators and realistic targets.

About the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development

NFSD is a non-profit organization that forms a key part of the corporate social responsibility portfolio of research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis. It operates independently of the commercial day-to-day business of Novartis. The foundation plans and supports projects designed to strengthen and secure essential healthcare provision for the poor in developing countries. Through its events and publications, it seeks to promote dialogue on development policy between public and private sector institutions. By means of scientific analyses, it helps to define the nature and limits of corporate social responsibility, particularly for pharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit http://www.novartisfoundation.org

About Novartis
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In  2010, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Novartis   Group   companies   employ approximately 121,000 full-time- equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.