02648nas a2200385   4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653002400079653003800103653002000141653003000161653002700191653002000218653004900238653001300287100001900300700001600319700001300335700001200348700001200360700001400372700001300386700001400399700001500413700001500428700001300443700001600456700001500472245011500487856009900602300000800701490000700709520153200716022001402248       2025                            d  bPublic Library of Science (PLoS)10aLeprosy elimination10aMycobacterium leprae transmission10aContact Tracing10aPost-exposure prophylaxis10asingle-dose rifampicin10aEarly detection10aMorogoro Leprosy Elimination Program (MoLEP)10aTanzania1 aBarth-Jaeggi T1 ade Coulon G1 aGarimo I1 aMsaki J1 aMleoh L1 aKisonga R1 aModali S1 aPanchal S1 aNjebele SM1 aSunderji S1 aMageda K1 aSteinmann P1 aLambert SM00aMoLEP—Co-creating a Mycobacterium leprae transmission interruption program for the Morogoro region, Tanzania  uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013507&type=printable  a1-90 v193 a<p>The global goal for leprosy elimination is the interruption of Mycobacterium leprae transmission, resulting in zero new leprosy patients. In alignment with this objective, Tanzania’s updated national leprosy strategy emphasizes early detection, systematic contact tracing, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with single-dose rifampicin (SDR), and integration of services into primary health care. However, the feasibility of accelerating M. leprae transmission interruption in high-burden areas with this strategy has yet to be demonstrated. In 2024, the Morogoro Leprosy Elimination Program (MoLEP) was launched in the country’s most endemic region. Developed through a collaborative process, MoLEP aligns global practices with local conditions and needs. Key interventions include training frontline health workers and expanding contact tracing with SDR-PEP. Furthermore, targeted activities will respond to high transmission areas and the detection of child cases, which serve as indicators of recent transmission. Strengthening the drug supply chain is also a priority. MoLEP will generate critical data on the feasibility and effectiveness of these interventions in accelerating progress toward elimination. The implementation is guided by a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, alongside clearly defined governance structures, to facilitate evidence-informed decision-making. Findings are expected to guide strategic scaling and replication in other high-burden regions across Tanzania and beyond.</p>
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