Sri Lanka’s Commitment to Eradicating Leprosy
Sri Lanka has taken a significant step forward in its mission to eradicate leprosy, marking a milestone with the commencement of the National Leprosy Conference. The event, held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, was under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This conference is a crucial platform for discussing strategies and actions aimed at eliminating leprosy from the country within the next decade.
The two-day conference was organized by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Sasakawa Foundation. These partnerships are essential in addressing the challenges posed by leprosy and ensuring that the efforts made are both effective and sustainable.
Addressing the Ongoing Challenge
During the conference, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized that although Sri Lanka successfully eliminated leprosy as a public health threat in 1995, the battle is not yet over. He highlighted that new patients continue to emerge each year, with approximately 1,500 to 2,000 new cases detected annually. Notably, around 10 percent of these cases involve children under the age of 10.
The current government has launched a structured program aimed at making Sri Lanka leprosy-free by 2035. This initiative includes early detection of patients, improvement of treatments and facilities through hospitals, and the implementation of systematic rehabilitation programs for those affected by leprosy-related disabilities. The minister expressed confidence that this conference would further strengthen national efforts to halt the transmission of leprosy.
Recognition of Key Supporters
Dr. Jayatissa also extended his appreciation to the World Health Organization and the Sasakawa Foundation for their continuous support in the mission to eliminate leprosy from Sri Lanka. Their contributions have been vital in advancing the country’s efforts in this area.
It was revealed that approximately 40 percent of newly detected leprosy cases are reported from the Western Province, with the highest number recorded from the Colombo District. Significant numbers of cases are also reported from the Batticaloa, Gampaha, Kurunegala, and Kalutara Districts. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions in these regions.
Key Speakers and Participants
The keynote address was delivered by Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of the Nippon Foundation, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, and Japan’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of People Affected by Leprosy. His speech provided valuable insights into the global efforts to combat leprosy and the importance of continued support.
Other notable speakers at the conference included Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Leprosy Eradication Campaign Director Dr. Yasoma Weerasekara. Ajith Dissanayake, representing all persons affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka, also shared his perspectives on the challenges faced by those impacted by the disease.
Government and International Support
The conference was attended by several high-profile individuals, including Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata, WHO Country Office Officer-In-Charge Dr. Momoe Takeuchi, and Dr. Vivek Lal, Team Lead of the Global Leprosy Programme of the World Health Organization. Additionally, several WHO country representatives and senior officials from the Health Ministry were present, highlighting the broad support for the initiative.
Conclusion
The National Leprosy Conference represents a critical moment in Sri Lanka’s fight against leprosy. With the collaboration of various stakeholders, the country is taking concrete steps toward achieving its goal of becoming leprosy-free. The conference serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment required to ensure that no one is left behind in this important public health mission.