Modern History of Hansen's Disease in Korea

Modern history of Hansen's Disease (HD) in Korea begins with nationwide use of the chemotherapeutic agent Diamino Diphenyl Sulphone for the patients in 1955. Definition of the case was different from time to time. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) reported 4,393 registered patients and same number 4,393 as new cases in 1977. This is the turning point they accepted patient reporting system of WHO, but total number of registered and managed as leprosy patients was 28,029 in 1977, which means the people who needs HD service from government at that time. The number of new cases decreased from 4,393 in 1977, 39 in 1996 to 4 in 2017. Regarding to new cases, it takes 40 years to accomplish from thousands level to below 10. Now we have 166 active cases (registered patients) and reported them as patients to the WHO. Korea Civil Assistance Command invited Dr. RG Cochrane who visited Korea for six weeks to make blue print for eradication of HD in Korea. With his advice and MOHW set HD project and plan for manpower to solve HD problems in 1955. Dr. Joon Lew and his colleagues founded Korean Leprosy Prevention Association in 1947 to combat leprosy, enlighten the public, and solve social problems caused by HD. The Korean Leprosy Prevention Association led by him changed its name to the Korean Leprosy Association in 1956, and grew into the current Korean Hansen Welfare Association. This organization is now playing a leading role in the eradication and management of HD in Korea.