Egypt to declare elimination of leprosy, targets ‘zero cases' by 2030
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the government's preparations to declare the elimination of leprosy, directing that efforts be intensified to reach a goal of 'zero leprosy cases' and provide care for those who have recovered.
During the meeting, Madbouly said the government would be able to eliminate leprosy and declare Egypt free of the disease, following previous public health successes. 'Just as the Egyptian state succeeded, and even became a global leader, in eliminating the Hepatitis C virus, as well as Virus B, malaria, and polio, among others, we will be able to eliminate leprosy and declare Egypt free of it,' Madbouly said.
He explained that focusing on health services is a fundamental aspect of achieving sustainable development, stressing the need to strengthen policies that ensure a healthy life for individuals and help recovered patients reintegrate into society.
Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar outlined the ministry's efforts, explaining that its vision is to 'reach zero leprosy cases by 2030.'
He added that the ministry is adopting a methodology consistent with the global approach, based on early detection and treatment of cases through the Leprosy Control Department's 27 specialised clinics, in addition to providing psychological and social support to those affected.
Abdel Ghaffar noted that the policy of isolating leprosy patients will be abolished, as the disease becomes non-contagious after the first dose of treatment. 'Leprosy is a skin disease like any other skin disease,' he said.
He explained that leprosy colonies have been closed worldwide and that patients currently in the Abu Zaabal and Amreya colonies in Egypt have recovered, with no active cases requiring isolation. They can receive services at any general hospital. He confirmed that the name 'leprosy clinics' will be replaced by 'specialised dermatology clinics.'
The Governor of Alexandria, Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, confirmed that the roughly 26 patients at the Amreya colony 'have been fully cured and treated for the complications of the disease and also rehabilitated.'
The Governor of Qalyubia, Ayman Attia, explained that patient numbers at the Abu Zaabal hospital are 'dwindling because the hospital is not admitting new cases for hospitalisation due to the change in treatment methods.'
Regarding social support, Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi reported that a social survey of patients was conducted, with the majority receiving cash support from the 'Takaful and Karama' programme. She affirmed the ministry's commitment to rehabilitating capable individuals and providing them with suitable employment opportunities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the prime minister directed officials to 'intensify efforts to reach the goal of zero leprosy cases,' and to 'provide full care for the recovered, and the required social cash support.'
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Local Development Manal Awad, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny, the governors of Alexandria and Qalyubia, and other relevant officials.
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