The WHO will send leprosy drugs to Nigeria this weekend after a year-long delay due to testing and supply chain issues. Nigeria sees over 1,000 leprosy cases annually, and the shortage has significantly affected patient health. Health workers warn of the repercussions of delayed treatment, as many patients are at risk of permanent disabilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced it will deliver leprosy medications to Nigeria this weekend, following a resolution of bureaucratic hold-ups that resulted in a year-long delay in medication access for thousands of patients, including children. Nigeria, which reports over 1,000 leprosy cases annually, experienced a stockout of multi-drug therapy due to new domestic testing regulations and supply chain issues in India, where a key treatment component is produced.
Without timely treatment, leprosy can lead to severe disabilities and significant stigma. The delay in accessing medicines has heightened suffering among patients. A WHO spokesperson confirmed a shipment of leprosy drugs from India, stating, “A dispatch of leprosy drugs from India has been confirmed for 8 March, with arrival in Nigeria on 9 March.”
At the ERCC Hospital in Nasarawa state, only two leprosy patients were admitted at the time of a Reuters visit in February, highlighting the impact of the drug shortage. One patient, Awwal Musa, expressed the deterioration of her condition due to lack of treatment, saying, “Before last year, my wounds were getting healed but now they are getting worse. The pain is worse.”
Health workers stressed the importance of timely access to treatment to prevent permanent disabilities. “If they lose their fingers, where are you going to get the fingers and give them again?” said Kuzeh Thomas, a hospital director. In recent years, Nigeria has been among twelve countries with significant leprosy case counts, and it faced bureaucratic delays in its request for necessary medication.
Health sector sources indicated additional testing was required for doses produced by Sandoz, impacting the shipment’s arrival. The situation has been characterized as unprecedented and painful for the most vulnerable patients, according to Sunday Udoh, head of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, who called it a tragic scenario where those in dire need cannot access life-saving medication.
In conclusion, Nigeria is set to receive much-needed leprosy drugs after a year-long delay caused by bureaucratic challenges that hindered access to medications for thousands of patients. The WHO’s imminent delivery offers hope for those affected by this disease. However, significant systemic issues remain a concern, hindering timely treatment and exacerbating patient suffering. The awareness and advocacy for leprosy patients’ rights and access to treatment are essential moving forward.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
