The roadmap outlining the strategy to eradicate leprosy from Sri Lanka within the next decade was launched during the event.
Organised by the Ministry of Health with the collaboration of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Sasakawa Foundation, the two-day National Leprosy Conference will be held in Colombo today (06) and tomorrow (07).
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, said that although Sri Lanka successfully eliminated leprosy as a public health threat in 1995, the battle was not yet over, with new patients continuing to emerge. He revealed that each year approximately 1,500–2,000 new leprosy cases are detected, around 10% of who are children below the age of ten.
He further stated that the present government is implementing a structured programme to ensure Sri Lanka becomes a leprosy-free nation by 2035. Steps include the early detection of patients who contribute to the spread of the disease, the improvement of treatments and facilities available through hospitals and the implementation of systematic rehabilitation programmes for those left with disabilities. He expressed confidence that this conference would further strengthen national efforts to halt the transmission of leprosy.
The Minister also extended his appreciation to the World Health Organization and the Sasakawa Foundation for their continuous support to the Ministry of Health over the years in the mission to eliminate leprosy from Sri Lanka.
It was also revealed that approximately 40% of newly detected 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.
Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Japan’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of People Affected by Leprosy, Yohei Sasakawa, delivered the keynote address. Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Consultant Dr Anil Jasinghe and Director of the Leprosy Eradication Campaign, Dr Yasoma Weerasekara, also addressed the conference.
Mr. Ajith Dissanayake addressed the conference representing all persons affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Mr. 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, along with several WHO country representatives and senior officials of the Ministry of Health, were also present.
