Guidelines for the management of Leprosy
The Ministry of Health has made tremendous progress in reducing the burden of Leprosy in Zambia. Leprosy cases dropped from approximately 18,000 cases in 1980 to about 1000 cases in 1996. By the year 2000, the incidence rates had fallen to 0.67/10 000 population. Despite having achieved elimination target in the year 2000 (1 leprosy case per 10,000 population) Leprosy remains an important public health problem in Zambia and globally. Every year the country records new cases of leprosy and in some provinces and districts leprosy cases are quite high pausing a threat of a resurgence. These guidelines provide a step by step guidance in the detection, management and prevention of leprosy in our health facilities and the community. These guidelines are targeted for health facility managers, health care workers both in public and private facilities and the community.
