Govt Urged To Fund Leprosy Control Programme

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Initiative Nigeria (LTR), has called on the federal and state governments to increase funding for leprosy control, rehabilitation and welfare services.

It stressed that inadequate investment remains a major obstacle to eliminating the disease.

In a statement issued by its communication and media officer, Saleh Gagarawa, LTR said that although leprosy is a curable bacterial disease with free and effective treatment, Nigeria continues to record cases annually due to stigma, late diagnosis, and a lack of financial commitment to control programmes.

The organisation noted that poor funding has undermined critical interventions such as early case detection, contact tracing, disability prevention, community awareness and social reintegration of persons affected by leprosy.

According to LTR, stigma, rather than the disease itself, now poses the greatest threat, as fear and discrimination force many patients to hide their condition, delay seeking treatment and suffer avoidable complications.

LTR also expressed concern over the state of leprosy colonies across the country, describing many as dilapidated and lacking basic amenities, a situation it said reinforces segregation and denies affected persons their dignity.

“Cure alone does not guarantee dignity,” the statement said, adding that many survivors continue to live with permanent disabilities, limited access to social protection and persistent discrimination long after treatment.

Drawing on over four decades of experience from The Netherlands Leprosy Relief legacy, LTR said it is supporting leprosy and tuberculosis control in several states through early detection, post-exposure prophylaxis, training of health workers and community volunteers, and stigma reduction initiatives.