Leprosy
Mailing List – July 23rd, 2007
Ref.: Leprosy
statistics: global trend of new case detection 1985-2006
From: Ryan T., Oxford, UK
Dear
Salvatore,
Like
your other correspondents I don't believe the figures either. I recently detected with an
Indian Colleague and a District Leprosy Officer, 11 new cases in one
morning in India at a skin camp attended by 400 persons (and have
photos to prove it). I
enquired afterwards the results of a biopsy on one case of histioid
leprosy. I was then told
it had not been done and none of the cases were being followed up
because the local Minister of Health stated that Leprosy had been
eliminated from her State and anyway they did not need anyone from
overseas to make such a diagnosis.
The
event had a much publicity because it was organised by the community
figurehead. The MOH was present at the opening ceremony and was
angry because I was interviewed by the local press and mentioned my
observation. Although it
could have been wrong of me to give our findings to the press I
believe the ideal response would have been for the MOH to state the
truth.
Terence
Ryan
