Roadmap towards zero leprosy, Pakistan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Global Health Initiatives

Background:

• Leprosy elimination is defined by the World Health Organization as zero child cases for five consecutive years.
• Pakistan's leprosy program has achieved significant case reductions through effective management and active case-finding.
• New adult cases decreased by 75% and child cases by 83% between 2001 and 2023.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline Pakistan's "zero leprosy roadmap" to eliminate new child cases by 2030.
• To detail strategies for improving active case-finding and post-exposure prophylaxis.
• To enhance health information systems and healthcare provider capacity for leprosy diagnosis and referral.

Main Methods:

• Development of a "zero leprosy roadmap" focusing on key elimination strategies.
• Implementation of improved active case-finding and post-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk contacts.
• Upgrading the health information management system to DHIS2 and training healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in adult and child leprosy cases in Pakistan between 2001 and 2023.
• Development of a comprehensive roadmap to achieve zero new child cases by 2030.
• Emphasis on integrated strategies including enhanced surveillance, prophylaxis, and capacity building.

Conclusions:

• Pakistan's "zero leprosy roadmap" provides scalable strategies for leprosy elimination in low-endemic settings.
• The roadmap's success relies on active case-finding, prophylaxis, improved health systems, and stakeholder involvement.
• Lessons learned in Pakistan can guide global efforts toward leprosy elimination.