Harnessing the strengths of the leprosy programme to control tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of death in Ethiopia but there is no effective national tuberculosis control programme. By contrast, the leprosy control programme has been very successful, with a 10-fold reduction in the number of leprosy cases requiring antibacterial treatment, though patients with nerve damage require continuing care. The paradox of rising numbers of tuberculosis cases and declining numbers of leprosy cases may be solved by joint leprosy-tuberculosis clinics. The strengths of leprosy fieldworkers in control management, case holding, and compliance can be harnessed in developing an effective tuberculosis control programme. Implementing a joint programme in Ethiopia may be beneficial not only for tuberculosis patients but also for leprosy patients, who are thus brought closer to general medical services.
Lockwood
D N
DN
ALERT, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Saunderson
P R
PR
D005002:Ethiopia; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*