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Leprosy: Overcoming the remaining challenges : Report of the International Summit Bangkok, Thailand 24 - 26 July 2013

Abstract

Leprosy as a public health problem was eliminated at the national level by most countries by the end of 2005. In the post-elimination phase of leprosy control, prevalence has decreased gradually, but the new case detection has remained at the same level in at least 18 high-endemic countries for leprosy, which reported more than 1000 new cases annually. The stagnation is more pronounced between 2008-2012. Stagnation in leprosy control was attributed to many technical and operational challenges prevailing in the 18 high-endemic countries. WHO with The Nippon Foundation (TNF), jointly organized the 'International Leprosy Summit: overcoming the remaining challenges ' inviting participation of ministers of health from 17 endemic countries and experts from partner organizations. The Summit was organized to reaffirm political commitment from the governments of the seventeen leprosy-endemic countries. The ministers of health deliberated on the remaining challenges and affirmed political commitment to further reduce disease burden due to leprosy. The 'Bangkok Declaration' was signed by the Ministers of Health of all the 17 countries. The Bangkok Declaration urges governments to strengthen monitoring of the leprosy programmes and participation of persons affected by leprosy in order to achieve the targets of enhanced global leprosy strategy for further reducing the disease burden due to leprosy. Mr Yohei Sasakawa, Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination on behalf of TNF pledged US$ 2 million for implementing the Bangkok Declaration. Similar support was also announced by other international leprosy organizations during the Summit.

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Report