The
World Health Organization (2009) explained that leprosy has struck fear into
human beings for thousands of years and was well recognized in the oddest
civilizations of China, Egypt and India. The member of individuals who over the
millennia have suffered its chronic course of incurable disfigurement and
physical disabilities can never be calculated. Since ancient time, leprosy has
been regarded by the community as a contagious, mutilating and incurable
disease. This aspect led to an intense reaction towards the disease from the
community, making them dread people afflicted by the disease more than the
disease itself.
World Health Organization (2009) explained that leprosy has struck fear into
human beings for thousands of years and was well recognized in the oddest
civilizations of China, Egypt and India. The member of individuals who over the
millennia have suffered its chronic course of incurable disfigurement and
physical disabilities can never be calculated. Since ancient time, leprosy has
been regarded by the community as a contagious, mutilating and incurable
disease. This aspect led to an intense reaction towards the disease from the
community, making them dread people afflicted by the disease more than the
disease itself.
Federal
Ministry of Health (2008) explained that leprosy colonies were established
around the country in the late 1920s and early care was provided by Christian
missionaries. By the 1940s and 50s Nigeria was ahead of many countries in its
leprosy control activities. C.M. Ross pioneered leprosy care programme, the
programme faced setback in the 1960s and 1970s due to the impact of the
Nigerian civil war. The Federal
Government of Nigeria launched the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control
Programme to control the increasing prevalence of leprosy and tuberculosis.
Ministry of Health (2008) explained that leprosy colonies were established
around the country in the late 1920s and early care was provided by Christian
missionaries. By the 1940s and 50s Nigeria was ahead of many countries in its
leprosy control activities. C.M. Ross pioneered leprosy care programme, the
programme faced setback in the 1960s and 1970s due to the impact of the
Nigerian civil war. The Federal
Government of Nigeria launched the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control
Programme to control the increasing prevalence of leprosy and tuberculosis.
At
the start of 1992 the World Health Organization thought there were 360,000 with
leprosy in Nigeria. By July 1993, the World Health Organization has revised
their estimate to 63,000 following a cleaning of registers when it was
discovered that some individuals had been receiving a structured and well
organised care for 10, 15 and even 20 years.
the start of 1992 the World Health Organization thought there were 360,000 with
leprosy in Nigeria. By July 1993, the World Health Organization has revised
their estimate to 63,000 following a cleaning of registers when it was
discovered that some individuals had been receiving a structured and well
organised care for 10, 15 and even 20 years.
In
Nigeria at around 1996, approximately 30% of past or present people affected by
a disability or impairment leprosaria abolished in Nigeria with the long-term
plan of providing community-based management programmes of those who have left
colonies, some are living in roadside huts and begging from passing motorists.
In the post-leprosaria abolition years, default and irregular clinic attendance
by individuals with leprosy were many and complicated control of leprosy.
Nigeria at around 1996, approximately 30% of past or present people affected by
a disability or impairment leprosaria abolished in Nigeria with the long-term
plan of providing community-based management programmes of those who have left
colonies, some are living in roadside huts and begging from passing motorists.
In the post-leprosaria abolition years, default and irregular clinic attendance
by individuals with leprosy were many and complicated control of leprosy.
A
study conducted in 2002 in Nigeria revealed health workers knowledge of leprosy
to be inadequate and identified the need for suitable training programmes on
leprosy. Nigeria achieved less than one cause of leprosy per ten thousand
people in 2003. However, since then it has been struggling to overcome
discrimination against people with obvious signs of the diseases and to address
the disability it causes. Many find it hard to seek help because they fear
being stigmatized.
study conducted in 2002 in Nigeria revealed health workers knowledge of leprosy
to be inadequate and identified the need for suitable training programmes on
leprosy. Nigeria achieved less than one cause of leprosy per ten thousand
people in 2003. However, since then it has been struggling to overcome
discrimination against people with obvious signs of the diseases and to address
the disability it causes. Many find it hard to seek help because they fear
being stigmatized.
In
2006 Nigeria was one of the seven countries in Africa reporting more than 1,000
new cases a year (The other six being Angola, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique
and Tanzania) today there are plan to integrate HIV/AIDS Control measure into
the tuberculosis and leprosy program so as to facilitate early detection of
leprosy among persons living with HIV/AIDS. Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi and
Gombe State have the highest levels of leprosy infection in the country,
closely followed by Adamawa, Kano Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara (Federal Ministry of
Health, 2008).
2006 Nigeria was one of the seven countries in Africa reporting more than 1,000
new cases a year (The other six being Angola, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique
and Tanzania) today there are plan to integrate HIV/AIDS Control measure into
the tuberculosis and leprosy program so as to facilitate early detection of
leprosy among persons living with HIV/AIDS. Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi and
Gombe State have the highest levels of leprosy infection in the country,
closely followed by Adamawa, Kano Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara (Federal Ministry of
Health, 2008).
