- Volume 60 , Number 2
- Page: 286–93
News and notes
This department fitrnishes information concerning institutions, organizations, and individuals engaged in work on leprosy and other myeobacterial diseases, and makes note of scientific meetings and other matters of interest.
The 14th International Leprosy Congress will be held in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., from 29 August through 4 September 1993. The Organizing Committee for the Congress includes: Dr. Wayne M. Meyers, Chairman; Dr. Robert C. Hastings, Secretary for Science; Mr. Thomas F. Frist, Secretary for Administration; Dr. W. Felton Ross, Treasurer.
Congress subjects: Presentations at the Congress will cover all aspects of leprosy and its control including experimental and laboratory science, clinical science, program planning and management, training, education, and the psychosocial sciences. Each day a State-of-the-Art Lecture will be presented on one of the key Congress issues.
Poster sessions: Special attention will be given to poster presentations in order to maximize personal discussions and explanations of participants' research and work. The Organizing Committee will provide a schedule of poster presentations during the Congress in connection with, and completing, the Congress themes.
Teaching & training sessions: Teaching and training sessions will be held each day during the Congress. Videos, continuous slide presentations, and films will cover a variety of subjects.
Workshops*: Workshops will be held for 2 to 3 days preceding the Congress. Summaries by Workshop chairmen will be available to all delegates at the conclusion of the Congress. Workshop topics will include Immunology, Chemotherapy, Diagnosis, Clinical and Social Aspects, Health Education, Prevention and Management of Impairment and Rehabilitation. (* These sessions are by invitation only.)
GENERAL INFO
Dates
29 August-4 September 1993
Location
Buena Vista Palace Hotel
Walt Disney World Village
Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.
Congress Language
English
Posters/Exhibition Space
Posters illustrating participants' work and research will be on exhibit throughout the Congress. In addition, paid exhibit space can be reserved for product or organization displays. For exhibit space costs and information, write separately to the Secretary for Administration.
Registration/Fees/Call for Scientific Abstracts
Return card attached to brochure in order to receive information regarding fees and registration. Check the appropriate box on the response card for information about submitting abstracts.
Free Communications
A book of abstracts will be part of each registration packet.
Social Events/Tours
The Buena Vista Palace Hotel is located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Village with complimentary transportation to the Magic Kingdom. A reception and dinner will be held for Congress participants Sunday evening, 29 August.
Additional Information
For further information, contact:
Secretary for Administration
14th International Leprosy Congress
1 ALM Way
Greenville, SC 29601, U.S.A.
Phone 803-271 -7040/FAX 803-271 -7062
MESSAGE F ROM THE ILA PRESIDENT
Nearly five years ago, field workers, laboratory scientists, and others from around the world met to share their experiences and their goals to control and ultimately eradicate leprosy. The 14th International Leprosy Congress will take us a step closer to achieving those goals.
The number of registered patients has fallen dramatically in recent years, and in 1991 the World Health Organization resolved to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000. There is great hope, but questions remain: Is present technology sufficient? Are social, economic, and political conditions of endemic countries adequate? What will happen to patients with social and physical disabilities? The 14th Congress will address these issues and formulate plans of action.
The ILA is grateful to ILEP and WHO, Congress co-sponsors, and to the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center and ALM International for helping to organize the Congress.
We look forward to seeing you at the 1993 Congress and to renewing our efforts to help patients and to conquer leprosy.
Wayne M. Meyers
President, ILA Congress
• PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 14TH ILA CONGRESS •
Belgium. International Colloquium at Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine. An International Colloquium will be organized at the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp on Wednesday through Saturday, 16-19 December 1992. The subject of the Colloquium will be: Integration of Traditional and Modern Methods in the Control of Leprosy and in the Study of Mycobacterial Taxonomy.
This Colloquium, organized in conjunction with the Thirteenth Conference of the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy (IWGMT) will include two parts: Wednesday, 16 December-Integration of traditional and modern methods in the control of leprosy; Thursday, 17 December through Saturday, 19 December- IWGMT Conference on integration of traditional and modern methods in the study of mycobacterial taxonomy.
The official language of the Colloquium will be English.
Persons who wish to attend the Colloquium and authors who wish to present a paper on Wednesday, 16 December, or a poster on Friday afternoon, 18 December, are invited to register their names and addresses, and to submit a title as soon as possible. A very limited number of short presentations may also be accepted for the plenary sessions of the IWGMT on 17 and 18 December. These will be restricted to papers relating to the following themes in mycobacterial systematics: 1) Phylogenetic relationships, 2) Identification methods and strategics, and 3) Ecology and epidemiology. More details will be sent to those who have indicated their intention to participate.
The Organizing Committee is composed of Prof. L. Eyckmans and Prof. F. Portaels (Antwerp, Belgium) and Dr. L. G. Wayne, (Long Beach, California, U.S.A.).
Secretariat of the Colloquium is: Miss A. F. Smeets, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium. Tel: 32-3-247-6206/FAX: 32-3-216-1431. - First Announcement materials from Prof. Eyckmans.
Brazil. First International Congress on Chemistry and Biochemistry of Leprosy. The First International Congress on Chemistry and Biochemistry of Leprosy will be held in Rio de Janeiro on 15-19 November 1992. Patrons of the Congress are: Associação Brasileira de Química (ABQ), Associação Medica do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (AMER.I), Sociedade Brasileira de Química (SBQ), Associação Brasileira de Microbiológica (ABM), and Sociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica (SBB).
For details contact: Prof. Augusto C. M. Pcrisse, Fundação Oswaldo Cru/./INCQS, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Ethiopia. ALER Tseeks both Director and Deputy Director of Training. The All-Africa Leprosy and Rehabilitation Training Center (ALERT) has openings for both a Director and Deputy Director of Training to plan, organize, and manage their leprosy program and related courses at the Center in Addis Ababa and elsewhere across Africa.
ALERT isan international training center recognized by the World Health Organization as a Collaborating Center for leprosy training, and operates a national referral hospital and a large field-control program in Shoa Province for the purposes of training, demonstration, and research in optimal levels and strategics of patient care and treatment.
They are looking for two experienced professionals with complementary skills to work together to help achieve ALERT's international training goals. One of the positions should be filled by a medical specialist with comprehensive experience and excellent qualifications in clinical leprosy and, preferably, dermatology as well. The other position would be filled by an educational specialist with qualifications and experience in curriculum development, distance learning, and educational management.
Internationally competitive salaries and benefits are available for the right candidates for these challenging and demanding positions. Considerable travel would be required, and fluency in French and/or other languages relevant to Africa would be an advantage. Free furnished accommodations are available on ALERT's own attractive campus within easy reach of Addis Ababa's many international amenities.
Detailed CVs and the names and contact details of three references should be sent within the next 2 months to: Executive Director, ALERT, P. O. Box 165, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel: 251-1-71-11-10/Telex: 21821 ALERT ET/Fax: 251-1-71-11 -99.
India. BLP cosponsors World Disabled Day celebration. A function of great significance was observed on 6 April 1992 which proved to be yet another landmark in the history of the Bombay Leprosy Project's (BLP) relentless efforts in the field of integrated rehabilitation services. As part of World Disabled Day celebrations, BLP joined hands with the Vocational Rehabilitation Center for the Handicapped (VRC), a central government agency, and organized this function at which gifts to the handicapped as well as trainees of the integrated training program of BLP were distributed. The gifts were donated by RSVP, a voluntary organization of senior citizens of Bombay.
Dr. R. Ganapati, Director of BLP, presided over the function and suggested that leprosy agencies in addition to celebrating World Leprosy Day on 30 January might also observe World Disabled Day in collaboration with institutions offering disability care and rehabilitation to the handicapped. Leprosy is still one of the major diseases contributing to deformities, and an integrated approach of this kind will lead to the elimination of stigma.
Mr. R. Narasimhan, Senior Superintendent of VRC, complimented BLP on its efforts to break the stigma in leprosy through integration, and said that all 16 VRCs under the Ministry of Employment could follow the example set in Bombay. Mr. Machindra Kachre, Municipal Councillor, appreciated the joint venture of BLP and VRC since leprosy as a highly infectious disease is still feared by the general public. Mr. S. S. Naik, a member of the BLP Managing Committee, proposed a vote of thanks. -Materials received from BLP
Cross of the German Order of Merit to Dr. Chattdhury. Dr. D. S. Chaudhury, Medical Adviser, German Leprosy Relief Association in India, and Director, GRECALTES Training Center, has been awarded the Cross of the German Order of Merit by the President of Germany for his outstanding contributions to leprosy work. The Award was conferred on 30 January 1992, by Dr. Hans Peter Plischka, Consul General of Germany in Calcutta, India, in the presence of invited guests including representatives of the Health Department of the state government, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and from All India Radio. We extend our congratulations to Dr. Chaudhury for this meritorious award.- RCH
Dr. Beine honored. Dr. August Beine, Chief Medical Officer, Sivananda Rehabilitation Home, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, has been awarded the "Cross of the Order of Merit," by the President of Federal Republic of Germany, for his devoted and meritorious work in the field of leprosy in India for many, many years. The award was presented by Dr. Gudrum Vogcl, Consul General of the Federal Republic Germany, South India, at an impressive ceremony at the Sivananda Rehabilitation Home on 9 August 1991. The award function was presided over by Justice P. Jagan Mohan Reddy. -Indian J. Lepr. 64(1992)132-133
Dr. Deenabandhu received Dr. Christian Memorial Award. Dr. A. Deenabandhu, District Leprosy Officer, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), received the first Dr. Melville Christian Memorial Award for outstanding work in the field of leprosy control on 3 October 1991 at a function held at the World University Service Auditorium, Madras. The Award was given by Dr. C. K. Rao, former Deputy Director General (Leprosy), at a specially convened meeting of leprosy workers. -Kush t Vinashak 14(1992)19
Modified Multidrug Therapy (MMDT) Training Program. Orissa. A meeting was organized recently (27-30 January 1992) by the Damien Institute, Bhubaneswar, to discuss the implementation of modified multidrug therapy (MMDT) in the districts of Kalahandi and Kconjhar in the state of Orissa. The meeting was held in Puri, and was attended by representatives from the Directorate of Health Services, the Damien Institute, the two districts involved, DAN-ILEP (Danish International Development Association), the Government of India Leprosy Research and Training Institute at Aska, and the Ghandi Memorial Leprosy Foundation. Dr. Clare Vellut, Dr. P. Kapoor (India) and Dr. A. Colin McDougall (U.K.) were invited as leprologists and facilitators.
The main objective was to examine in detail the "Guidelines for Modified MD T Scheme in Selected Districts" recently issued by the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) in India (1990) in association with two training manuals: a) for medical officers and health supervisors, and b) for health workers, also published by NLEP (1990, Leprosy Division, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi 110 Oil, India). It was then possible to make recommendations, based on the availability of staff in the two districts, on the periods of training which would be needed and the measures which would have to be taken in areas such as: screening of registers, health education, and the procurement of adequate supplies of dapsone, clofazimine and rifampin. Based on experience elsewhere in the state, it was predicted that careful "pre-MMDT " screening of all registered cases would result in a reduction in the total of at least 50% and perhaps as much as -70% in both districts.
MMDT has been formulated by the Leprosy Division in order to more expediently implement multidrug therapy (MDT) in 66 endemic districts in which it so far has been impossible to do because of an inadequately developed infrastructure. A District Leprosy Society had overall responsibility for the operation of MMDT, using primary health care facilities. The 14-day period of intensive daily therapy for multibacillary (MB) cases will not be used. MB cases are treated for 2 years and treatment is then stopped. The rapid survey approach used in existing guidelines is also dropped and replaced by greater attention to health education and early reporting.
Bacteriological examination of skin smears is to be confined to MB cases and suspected MB cases. Full details of these interesting and important modifications of the standard NLEP routine for MDT in India are available in the publications described above.
It is expected that the planning and preparatory phase for the districts of Keonjhar and Kalahandi will start in March 1992 and last for 5-6 months; MMDT should be implemented well before the end of the year. All other 1 1 districts in Orissa have already been covered by MDT. The implementation of MMDT presents new problems in personnel management, the deployment of staff, and the use of multiple drugs (after decades of dapsone monotherapy) through primary health care facilities. In addition, the districts concerned have high levels of illiteracy in tribal populations. It is intended to monitor, perhaps in association with medical schools and department of community and social medicine, the way in which these problems are overcome and to report the findings in the medical press at a later date.-A. C. McDougall
New leprosy seals inaugurated by President of India. His Excellency, the President of India, Shri R. Venkataraman, inaugurated the new leprosy seals brought out by the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh at a small but impressive function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 30 January 1992. Hon'bleShri M. L. Fotedar, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, and Chairman of the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, presented the new leprosy seals to the President who, while purchasing the seals, said that the printing and quality of the seals was "indeed beautiful and very good."
Speaking on the occasion, Shri R. Venkataraman said that "the leprosy workers, the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, and the Indian Red Cross Society are doing a good job. It is heartening to note that the number of leprosy patients has in fact come down from 4 million to about 2.8 million. This has been brought about by the dedicated, sincere and combined efforts of the government and a large number of voluntary organisations." -Kusht Vinashak 14(1992)18
New Officers elected for IAL. The following office bearers and members of the Central Council of the Indian Association of Leprologists (IAL) have been elected for 1992-1993:
President: Dr. V. Ekambaran (Madras)
Vice-Presidents: Dr. V. P. Bharadawaj (Agra)
Dr. P. D. Samson (Miraj)
Hon. Secretary: Dr. J. A. Ponniah (Karigiri)
Hon. Treasurer: Dr. D. Lobo (Madras)
Members of the Central Council include Drs.: V. M. Katoch (Agra), M. D. Gupte (Avadi), P. R. Mangali (Bhilai), U. Sengupta (Agra), P. R. Mahadevan (Bombay), B. K. Girdhar (Agra), D. Porichha (Raipur), K. K. Koticha (Bombay), and N. K. Chopra (Bombay).
The IAL secretariat shifts to Karigiri and all correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. J. A. Ponniah, Hon. Secretary, Indian Association of Leprologists, Director, SLRTC, Karigiri, SLR Sanatorium P. O., N.A. Dist., Tamil Nadu, India 632 106.-Materials from Dr. V. M. Katoch
President presents Best Leprosy Worker awards. The President of India presented the prestigious International Gandhi Award to two best leprosy workers globally at Mavalankar Auditorium on 30 January 1992. The recipients selected by an international expert jury were the late Cardinal Paul Emile Lcger of Quebec (Canada) and Mr. Dato E. J. Lawrence of Kuala Lampur (Malaysia). Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma, Vice-President of India and Chairman of International Gandhi Award Committee, presided over the function. While presenting the awards, the President said "Those engaged in voluntary endeavor do not seek awards. For them their work is its own reward. And yet society owes them a deep debt of gratitude and so when we honor them we do so for our sakes, not theirs." -Kushl Vinashak 14(1992)22-23
XXI National Conference of IADV&L. The XXI National Conference of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADV&L) will take place at Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, India, on 28, 29, and 30 January 1993. For details contact: Dr. C. Balachandran, Organizing Secretary, or Dr. C. R. Srinivas, Chairman, Scientific Committee, Department of Skin & STD, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal 576 119, India.
Iran. First Iranian International Congress on Leprosy to be held. The First Iranian International Congress on Leprosy will be held 10-15 October 1992 at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The scientific program will include cither symposia with invited speakers or slide and poster presentations. All abstracts selected by the Scientific Committee will be reproduced and distributed at the Congress. Papers scheduled for regular slide presentation will be limited to 10 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for discussion. Posters will be displayed for a 3-hour period.
Registration is $175 for participants and $25 for accompanying persons. For further information contact: Dr. H. M. Mobayen, Organizing Secretary, First Iranian International Congress on Leprosy, P.O. Box 51335-4351, Tabriz, Iran -First announcement
Korea. "Leprosy in Korea, Past and Present. " The JOURNAL has received a copy of this softbound, 62-page booklet by Dr. Joon Lew, Director of the Lew Institute for Biomedical Research in Korea. The material was presented at the International Seminar on Leprosy Control, 4-7 November 1991, in Seoul, and is an interesting account of Dr. Lew's extensive work in the field of leprosy. The booklet includes photographs, data, and a tabic on the history of leprosy in Korea. -DDG
Russia. Leprosy in southern Russia. Mr. T. J. flytche, consultant ophthalmologist at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, and member of the LEPRA Medial Advisory Board, has recently returned from a visit to the Leprosy Research Institute in Astrakhan and the Tersky leprosarium.
Mr. flytche has already been to eastern Europe. In 1990 he visited the Tichilesti leprosarium in Romania, and was struck by the high prevalence of ocular complications seen there. This was due partly to the fact that all the patients were of European extract and the majority had long-standing multibacillary (MB) disease, but also because the availability of ophthalmic care and preventive therapy was low. It seemed therefore likely that a similar situation might exist in southern Russia, where the numbers of patients were greater, the ethnic groups were comparable and recent political and fiscal difficulties might have affected leprosy services.
Leprosy is still endemic in many areas of the former Soviet Union, although the number of new patients is diminishing each year. Current statistics record that there are 3976 registered leprosy patients distributed throughout the regions but mainly in Russia (1152), Kazakhstan (1185) and Uzbekistan (1003). Of these 3976 patients, 48% are male and 52% female; 59% have been diagnosed as MB, 29% PB, and 12% indeterminate. Only 160 new cases were registered in the decade 1981-1990. Approximately. 1000 patients reside in institutions, a further 1500 attend as out-patients, the remaining 1400 have been released from treatment.
Care in the centers visited is of high standard with excellent recreational facilities for the in-patients; ophthalmic care is in good and experienced hands with more sophisticated surgery being carried out in the city hospital in Astrakhan. However, medical supplies are short and much of the equipment used for diagnosis is old and the doctors find it difficult to update their knowledge because of a lack of information from journals or textbooks and the difficulties of traveling to attend foreign congresses with out outside financial help.
At present DAHW and TLMI are jointly funding the provision of drugs for the center in Astrakhan.-ilep flash 1(1992)3
Spain. Fontilles cursos internacional de leprología. El XXXV Curso Internacional de Leprología para Misioneros, Auxiliares Sanitarios y Trabajadores Sociales y el XXIX Curso Internacional de Leprología para Médicos, organizado por el Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja de Fontilles y patroncinado por la Soberana Ordern Militar de Malta, tendrá lugar en el Sanatorio de Fontilles.
Dirigido por el Dr. J. Terencio de las Aguas, Director Médico del Sanatorio, el XXXV Curso tendrá lugar desde el dia 13 al 24 de Octubre 1992; el XXIX Curso tendrá lugar desde el dia 2 al 7 de Noviembre 1992.
Los aspirantes a estos Cursos deberán dirigir sus instancias al Comité Ejecutivo Internacional, 3 Place Claparede, Ginebra, Suiza, hasta el 30 de Junio de 1992 y al mismo tiempo al Dr. José Terencio de las Aguas, Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja, 03791 Fontilles, Alicante, España. -Course announcements
Switzerland. CIBA-GEIGY combination capsules postponed. CIBA-GEIGY has informed ILEP that they are postponing any further work on the development of fixed combination capsules of clofazimine/dapsone and of rifampin/clofazimine.
The clofazimine/dapsone combination was proposed some years ago by the ILEP Medical Commission as an aid to patient compliance because it would make it easier for multibacillary cases to take their daily MD T dose. WH O has also promoted the rifampin/clofazamine combination which would form part of the monthly supervised doses, as a way to discourage diversion of rifampin onto the black market.
Work by CIBA-GEIGY in recent years had apparently solved the practical problems of putting these pairs of drugs together in the same capsule. The Swiss company had manufactured a first batch and was awaiting some further tests, notably for bioavailability, before obtaining registration. It had been hoped that the combinations would be available on the market toward the end of 1992.
Now, CIBA-GEIGY has decided, in view of the field trials on ofloxacin, to delay further investment and wait and see what changes to the treatment of leprosy might result and, therefore, whether combinations with this new drug might be more appropriate, -ilep flash 1(1992)2
U.K. New Director for LEPRA. LEPRA'S new Director, Terry Vascy, arrived at LEPRA at the beginning of 1991 to head their project department. Previously Project Officer for Christian Aid and responsible for their work in Brazil, Paraguay and Chile, Terry Vasey speaks fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese. He has already visited LEPRA-funded projects in India and Nigeria, and it is hoped he will be able to visit projects in Malawi this year. Irene Allen has taken over as Acting-head of Projects, and Anne Kcatley-Clarke is currently responsible for Fundraising and Publicity. -ilep flash 1(1992)3
U.S.A. "The Star" completes 50 years. "The Star" founded by leprosy patients of the U.S.P.H.S. Hospital, Carville, Louisiana, with Stanley Stein as Editor with a view to promote health education, furnish vocational training for needy patients and provide community service, has completed 50 years of service. Started in September 1941 as purely a leprosy patients' venture, at present the magazine has a circulation of approximately 50,000 copies mailed to 152 countries throughout the world. The Founder Editor (1941 -1967) the late Stan-Icy Stein observed, "I certainly wanted The Star to be a friend to the friendless. But I dared not hope then that it could ever become the voice of the voiceless, a cry of despair from those without the camp, an appeal for justice."