Leprosy mailing list – July
5th, 2005
Ccn:
all.
Ref.:
-
comments on WHO/AFRO’s “post-elimination” strategy
paper;
-
supervision of treatment.
From: J N Chukwu, Nigeria.
June 22, 2005
Dear Dr Ji,
I have read
your comments on WHO/AFRO’s “post-elimination” strategy paper (
B Ji
, LML June 3rd, 2005) and would like to state that I am
in general agreement with your views on the issues. I should confess that I am yet
to read the WHO/AFRO strategy paper itself.
I note,
however, that your recommendation number 9, states inter alia…
“in general, members of the patient’s family should not serve as
treatment supervisor”. I
find this position problematic. Is
there any evidence base for this recommendation? Given the profound issues of
confidentiality and stigma surrounding
leprosy in
many communities till this day, I strongly believe that family
members, not “outsiders” are potentially more effective treatment
supporters.
Have a nice
day!
Yours
sincerely,
Joseph N.
Chukwu
GLRA Medical
Advisor
Nigeria
