ÌÇÐÄvlogÊÓÆµ Declaration on Leprosy Control around the World and Elimination of Discrimination against Persons affected by Leprosy


Adopted by the 62nd ÌÇÐÄvlogÊÓÆµ General Assembly, Montevideo, Uruguay, October 2011
and reaffirmed with minor revisions by the 218thÌýCouncil session (online),ÌýLondon, United Kingdom, October 2021Ìý

 

Leprosy is a widespread public health problem, with approximatelyÌý200.000Ìýnew cases diagnosed annually worldwide. It is a curable disease and after starting treatment, the chain of transmission is interrupted. Leprosy is a disease that have been inadequately addressed from the point of view of investments in research and medical treatment.Ìý

The ÌÇÐÄvlogÊÓÆµ recommends to all National Medical Associations to defend the right of the people affected with leprosy and members of their families, that they should be treated with dignity and free from any kind of prejudice or discrimination. Physicians, health professionals and civil society should be engaged in combating all forms of prejudice and discrimination. ResearchÌýcentersÌýshould acknowledge leprosy as a major public health problem and continue to research this disease since there are still gaps in understanding itsÌýpatho-physiological mechanisms.ÌýThese gaps in knowledge may be overcome through the allocation of resources to new research, which will contribute to more efficient control worldwide. Medical schools, especially in countries with high prevalence of leprosy, should enhance its importance in the curriculum. The public,Ìýprivate, and civil sectors should unify their best efforts in order to disseminate information that would counteract prejudice towards leprosy and that acknowledges its curability.Ìý

Declaration
Discrimination, Human Rights, Infectious Disease, Leprosy, Public Health, Research

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