Rivers State government has said about 26 persons diagnosed with leprosy in 2022 in the state have been treated.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, who spoke in commemoration of World Leprosy Day, also disclosed that the state had increased its treatment centres from 12 to 23 councils.
The commissioner said the ministry is working to ensure it achieves the 2030 target of eradicating leprosy in the state.
Chike said that as part of strategy, the ministry, in conjunction with German Leprosy Relief Association, has trained healthcare workers on diagnosis of leprosy.
He said: “Leprosy is a curable disease and has been identified among diseases marked for elimination.
“Here in Rivers State, the Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) strategy has been our guide in our resolve to eliminate leprosy before the year 2030, using the three pillars of early case finding, proper treatment and use of community-based rehabilitation to improve the quality of life of persons and families affected by leprosy. The strategy will also cause effective advocacy and communication methods to improve community awareness and combat discrimination against persons or families affected by it.
“Our resolve in Rivers State is to achieve this target and this has been informed by the expansion of treatment centres from 12 to 23 councils in the state.”
Chike said eliminating leprosy is a possibility and the state will work with stakeholders to achieve the goal.
World Leprosy Day is observed every last Sunday of January. The theme for the year is: “Act Now, End Leprosy.”
