The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded an alarm regarding a surge in leprosy cases among Ugandans, highlighting a concerning trend of increased prevalence and transmission of the disease. Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO country representative, disclosed that the number of reported leprosy cases in Uganda escalated from 121 to 518 between 2017 and 2022, with approximately 13 percent of these cases affecting children.
Attributing this rise to a potential regression in leprosy control services and ongoing community transmission, Dr. Yonas emphasized the imperative for evidence-based innovations to address the escalating crisis.
Speaking at the National TB and Leprosy Science Summit in Kampala, held under the theme “Harnessing local research and innovation on TB and leprosy,” Dr. Charles Olaro, Director for Curative Services at the Health Ministry, underscored the urgency of generating new strategies to combat the disease effectively. He noted that over 50 percent of leprosy cases in Uganda are reported from the West Nile region, necessitating innovative approaches to curb transmission.
Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, head of the TB and Leprosy Control Programme at the Ministry, attributed the rise in reported cases to increased diagnosis services facilitated by the Community Awareness, Screening, Testing, Prevention, and Treatment to end TB/Leprosy (CAST) campaign. She emphasized the importance of reaching affected populations and initiating timely treatment to mitigate the spread of leprosy.
While acknowledging progress in TB detection during the CAST campaign, Dr. Turyahabwe highlighted ongoing challenges in TB control, particularly in the Northern regions of Uganda, where the disease burden remains significant.
Echoing these concerns, a 2019 study report recommended a special focus on the Northern region to evaluate and strengthen leprosy surveillance systems to effectively manage the disease.
The collective efforts of stakeholders, including the WHO, Ministry of Health, and research institutions, are crucial in addressing the rising tide of leprosy cases and advancing public health interventions to combat both leprosy and tuberculosis in Uganda.
