News and notes
This department furnishes information concerning institutions, organizations, and individuals engaged in work on leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases, and makes note of scientific meetings and other matters of interest.
Albania. Leprosy Scientific Session held on 8 February 2002 in Tirana for the occasion of the 70th Jubilee of Professor Mantho Nakuci. Professor Emeritus of Dermatology, who devoted his life to the fight against leprosy.
A number of papers were presented, dealing with various clinical and epidemiological aspects of leprosy. Of special interest was a review of leprosy control activities in Albania over the last half century. Since 1944. excluding a few imported cases, a total of 88 autochthonous patients were diagnosed, 67 of them with multibacillary leprosy, 38 being family contacts (in 13 families) and 50 with no known contact. There are still 44 cases alive under surveillance. The last detected patient was declared cured in 1996.
This makes an interesting example of leprosy as a disappearing disease. According to Professor Nakuci, leprosy has been abolished as well as liquidated in Albania (these terms being supposedly backtranslations into English of the Albanian word for elimination).
Special attention was given to the extensive material on leprosy and dermatological diseases in Albania authored by Professor Nankuci. This material can be accessed on www.albmedicine.cjb.net)
The session was attended by a large number of colleagues, as well as by representations from abroad, more specifically the Albania-Panamerican Academy in New York, and the Universities of Jannina and Prishtina in the neighboring countries.
- M. F. Lechat
India. Workshop held 16-18 February 2002 at the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, Wardha, India, on "Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons Affected by Leprosy ".
Socio-Economic Empowerment Workshop was conducted by IDEA-INDIA from 16th to 18th February 2002 at the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation (GMLF) Wardha. The Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh (HKNS) Maharashtra State Branch and Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation have been the local organizers. The Workshop was sponsored by Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, Japan.
On the first day the inauguration of the Workshop was conducted by the Chief Guest Honorable Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari by the lighting of the lamp in front of the picture of Mahathma Gandhi, followed by Dr. P. K. Gopal, President, IDEA-INDIA; Dr. N. T. Kamthekar, Joint Director of Health Services (Leprosy); Dr. V. V. Dongre, Director, GMLF. Wardha; Mr. Uday Thakar, Secretary, HKNS.-M-B; and Mr. G. R. Srinivasan, Mr. S. Kirubakaran, and Mr. Issac from the German Leprosy Relief Association who participated in the workshop as resource persons. In addition, speeches were given by several participants during the inaugural function.
Individuals affected by leprosy who live in leprosy colonies, as ell as individuals from the communities within the live districts of Maharashtra State - Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Wardha and Amravati, were invited to the workshop. The workshop was attended by 26 leprosy-affected persons, including 5 women. Some of these individuals had successfully fought not only against leprosy, but also against the social barriers to establish dignified lives for themselves. They are role models for other persons in their region. Approximately 20 special invitees, resource persons, and medical officers participated in the workshop.
This workshop was unique because, for the first time in the long history of the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, a workshop exclusively for persons affected by leprosy was conducted. The workshop created a platform for them to express their experiences, i.e., their success and failures, and their needs and problems. The three- day workshop had two sessions per day.
The first-day sessions were chaired by Dr. V. V. Pai, Deputy Director of the Bombay Leprosy Project, and Dr. N. T. Kamthekar, Joint Director of Health Service (Leprosy). In these sessions, all the participants were given an opportunity to express their experiences. All pertinent information was recorded by Dr. Kamthekar and the HKNS personnel for future follow-up action.
The second session was chaired by Dr. V. V. Dongre. Before starting the session, Dr. Dongre read a message received from Mrs. K. Yamaguchi, Manager. International Programmes, Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, Japan, which stated:
"Dear Organizers, Guests, and Participants: On behalf of the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, I send our Foundation's as well as my personal greeting to you for this very memorable occasion. The Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation firmly believes that improvement of the quality of life of the people who personally had leprosy and their families can be achieved only when the people recognize themselves as equal and valuable citizens of their communities. This can be achieved when they build up their self-confidence and self-reliance.
Leprosy today is an easily curable disease. Whatever physical problems the people may have are the result of their past disease and their disease is already cured. They should be given equal opportunity as members of their community. The workshop, as organized, is one of these opportunities where people from different backgrounds meet and find each other as individuals. Based on this common understanding, we all begin to see how we can all help each other.
As a sponsor of this workshop, the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation is very grateful and appreciative of the decision of the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation to be a partner of IDEA to organize this meeting. It is a proof that GMLF is genuinely interested in the uplifting of the quality of lives of those who had leprosy. 1 have a strong belief that the message which IDEA is trying to deliver is genuinely correct. It is the spirit of self-esteem and determination to share understanding with others and, in doing so, to build up solidarity.
I sincerely wish that you all find this meeting helpful for you in move forward to a better future."
The message was translated in Marathi language by Dr. Dongre and the participants were happy.
In this session all participants who had overcome the physical and social problems caused by the disease shared their views. Then the participants were divided into three groups to discuss the following topics:
1. Welfare Program of Government and NGO's - How to get benefit from these programs. Mobilization of the local resources. Chairman: Mr. Sathe; Rapporteur: Mr. Dole.
2. Care After Cure Services - Availability of physical needs aids and appliances. (Special reference to prevention of deformities.) Chairman: Dr. Revanwar; Rapporteur: Mr. Deshpando.
3. How to bring dignity and empowerment in the life of leprosy-affected persons. Chairman: Mr. Sarkar; Rapporteur: Mr. Deshpando.
The group discussion was continued for one day. Participants expressed their views and shared ideas.
The third session was chaired by Dr. P. K. Gopal and Dr. V. V. Pai. The chairman of the three groups presented their reports and recommendations.
All recommendations were discussed in open session and it was decided that the recommendations should be named as "WARDHA DECLARATION" which is as follows:
WARDHA DECLARATION
We the participants of the Socio-Economic Empowerment Workshop held from 16th to 18th February 2002 in Wardha, India, make the following declaration and recommendations.
1. All the leprosy-affected persons must unite and stand together for solving their problems. Also we feel that we are the part and parcel of the society. We should build up our confidence and we all should mix in society without fear.
2. Persons affected by leprosy and the organizations run by them should be given a representation in the Government and NGO organizations, while planning and implementing programs for the persons affected by leprosy. Persons affected by leprosy have an essential role to play in the elimination of the disease and its consequences.
3. National and international funding agencies should give due importance for implementation of various programs that will aim to bring normalization in the lives of persons affected by leprosy.
4. Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh - Maharashtra State Branch should publish a booklet on the various welfare programs of the Government, NGOs and the names of Vocational Training Centers for the handicapped persons. The book should be easily available to the persons affected by leprosy.
5. It was observed that the persons who are willing to take bank loans to start their self-supporting business are not getting cooperation from the bank authorities. It is recommended that the system should be developed in such a manner that the eligible persons affected by leprosy should be able to get the bank loans. Also, voluntary organizations should take the responsibility of guiding the persons in this matter.
6. Names of all eligible leprosy-affected persons who have deformities should be included in the Government's Below Poverty Line Schemes to get benefits like pensions, etc.
7. MCR footwear should be made available to the leprosy-affected persons at reasonable intervals. Dressing kit and grip aids should be made available to persons suffering from ulcers and deformities. If the leprosy-affected persons have no visible deformities, their integration in the community is possible without much difficulty. It is recommended that Prevention of Deformity Program should be given top priority.
8. Counselling centers for building confidence for leprosy-affected persons should be established in the existing leprosy centers. The voluntary organizations in the state should take the initiative in establishing such centers.
9. That final victory in the fight against leprosy can only be declared when there are no more persons to be cured, no more disabilities to treat, no more discrimination to overcome, and when persons once affected by leprosy lead normal, integrated lives with the same opportunities, rights, and duties as their fellow citizens.
10. All the participants suggested that some type of workshop should be organized in different regions of the country on a periodical basis which will help the leprosy-affected persons in building up their confidence, create a network among themselves, sharing views, ideas, successes and failures with fellow persons to achieve psychological support and provide emotional interaction.
The final session on the third day of the workshop was chaired by Mr. Uday Thakar, Secretary, HKNS. The District Social Welfare Officer from the state government spoke on the various Government Welfare Programs.
During the course of interaction Mr. Pendse, one of the participants affected by leprosy from Nagpur, declared that he would provide employment opportunity in his home-based industry to a needy leprosy- affected person. As a token of gratitude he gave a financial contribution of Rs.501/- to a lady participant from Chandrapur Smt. Kunda Naikamwar for a vegetable-selling business.
The WARDHA DECLARATION was read and the recommendations were unanimously passed by the participants. Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, Maharashtra State Branch, disbursed financial help to 8 leprosy-affected persons from Chandrapur for self-employment ventures. A press meeting was conducted the day before the workshop to given information to the public. The Maharashtra State Television crew covered the workshop, which was telecast on the State Television channel.
In conclusion every participant expressed their satisfaction on the outcome of the work. The efforts taken by Dr. V. V. Dongre and his team, as well as the efforts taken by Dr. P. K. Gopal and his team, Mr. Uday Thakar, Mrs. Pratibha Kathe, Mrs. Prabha Patwardhan and others were highly appreciated by the participants.
- Mr. U. H. Thakar
Hon. Secretary
Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh Maharashtra Branch
Spain. 45th International Course on Leprosy for Public Health Assistants. 23-28 September 2002, Fontilles (Alicante).
Del 23 al 28 de septiembre de 2002, Fontilles organiza el presente curso dirigido a personal paramédico, misioneros, diplomados en enfermería, trabajadores sociales y otros titulados interesados en la lucha contra le lepra. La asociación Fontilles trabaja en proyectos internacionales dando asistencia a enformos de lepra, investigación y formación de personal sanitario.
DIRECTOR
GÓMEZ ECHEVARRÍA. José Ramón. Director Médico Lepra Sanatorio Fontilles
FECHA Y LUGAR DE CELEBRACIÓN DEL 23 al 28 DE Septieimbre DE 2002 Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja, Fontilles 03791 Vali de Laguart, Alicante.
CONTENIDOS
1. Definición, historia, epidemiologia distribución geográfica, etiologia. Transmisión de la lepra.
2. Inmunidad.
3. Pruebas diagnosticas y de laboratorio.
4. Patologia.
5. Espectro clínico de la lepra. Tipos clínicos.
6. Caracteristicas histológicas.
7. Manifestaciones neurológicas. Otras manifestaciones clínicas.
8. Lepro-reacciones.
9. Diagnóstico diferencial.
10. Lepra y embarazo.
11. Tratamiento de las diferentes formas.
12. Manejo del enfermo de lepra.
13. Rehabilitación física.
14. Rehabilitación social.
15. Aspectos psicológicos de la lepra.
16. Reconocimiento de las diferentes patologias cutáneas más frecuentes en la piel de colon
17. Dermatosis por bacterias, hongos y virus.
18. Dermatosis por malnutrición.
PROFESORADO
- Personal sanitario del Sanatorio.
- Personal sanitario dei Grupo de Proyectos Internacionales de Fontilles.
- Colaboradores externos.
Este curso se desarrollará tanto a nivel teórico como práctico.
INFORMACIÓN Y SECRETARIA
Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja.
Fontilles, 03791 Vall de Laguart (Alicante)
Tel: 00 34 965583350,
Fax: 00 34 965583376
E-maiI: sanatorio@fontilles.org
MATRÍCULA
Tasas de inscripción: 20,00 ??
Matrícula gratuita.
Las personas interesadas deberán dirigir sus instancias a la secretaría del curso antes del 31 de julio de 2002.
Spain. 39th International Course on Leprosy for Dermatologists. 25-30 November 2002, Fontilles (Alicante).
Del 25 al 30 de noviembre de 2002 Fontilles organiza el presente curso impartido por especialistas y dirigirio a médicos dermatólogos que deseen especializarse en leprologia y a médicos interesados en los problemas actuales de la lucha contra la lepra y en patologia dermatológica tropical.
CONTENIDOS
1. Definición, historia, epidemiologia distribución geográfica, etiologia. Transmisión de la lepra.
2. Inmunidad.
3. Pruebas diagnósticas y de laboratorio.
4. Patologia.
5. Espectro clínico de la lepra. Tipos clínicas.
6. Características histológicas.
7. Manifestaciones neurológicas. Otras manifestaciones clínicas.
8. Lepro-reacciones.
9. Diagnóstico diferencial.
10. Lepra y embarazo.
11. Tratamiento de las diferentes formas.
12. Manejo del enfermo de lepra.
13. Rehabilitación física.
14. Rehabilitación social.
15. Aspectos psicológicos de la lepra.
16. Reconocimiento de las diferentes patologias cutáneas más frecuentes en la piel de color.
17. Dermatosis por bacterias, hongos y virus.
18. Dermatosis por malnutrición.
DIRECTOR
GOMEZ ECHEVARRÍA. José Ramón. Director Médico Lepra Sanatorio Fontilles
PROFESORADO
BELLOD, Vícente. DUE Sanatoria de Fontilles
BUIGUES FRAU, Vicente. Oftalmólogo. Denia.
CUEVAS SANTOS, Jesús. Servido de Anatomía Patológica del Hospital General Universitario de Guadalajara.
SOUZA CUNHA, María da Graça. Dermatóloga del instituto de Dermatología Tropical y Venereología Alfredo Da Matta, Amazonas.
GARCIA CREMADES, Elia. DUE Sanatorio de Fontilles.
GÓMEZ ECHEVARRIA, José Ramón. Director Médico Lepra Sanatoria Fontilles.
HERNÁNDEZ RAMOS, José María. Residente MFYC Hospital Comarcal Denia. Colaborador cooperación Fontilles.
MOLL CERVERA, Fátima. Fisioterapeuta Sanatorio Fontilles.
NUÑEZ MARTÍ, Juan Manuel. Odontólogo Fontilles.
PÉREZ LÓPEZ, Montserrat. Asesora Cientifica Fontilles. Responsable Programa de Lepra en Cataluña, Adjunta del Servicio de Dermatologia del Hospital de San Pablo, Barcelona.
RATO DE BORACCHIA, Beatrice M. Psiquiatra Sanatorio Fontilles. Diplomada en la Universidad de Buenos Aires y Toronto.
SANZ, Benizio. Diplomado Lepra en Etiopia. Diplomado en Medicina Tropical en Liverpool, Director de la Unidad de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual de Barcelona.
TORRES MUÑOZ, Pedro. Jefe de Laboratorio e Investigation del Sanatorio de Fontilles.
FECHA Y LUGAR DE CELEBRAC1ÓN
Del 25 al 30 de noviembre de 2002
Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja, Fontilles.
03791 Vali de Laguart, Alicante.
INFORMACIÓN Y SECRETARIA
Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja.
Fontilles, 03791 Vall de Laguart (Alicante)
Tel: 00 34 965583350, Fax: 00 34 965583376
E-mail: sanatorio@fontilles.org
MATRÍCULA
Tasas de inscripción: 20,00 ??
Matrícula gratuita.
Las personas interesadas deberán dirigir sus instancias a la secretaría del curso antes del 30 de septiembre de 2002.
U.K. International Leprosy Association Global Project on the History of Leprosy.
DATABASE OF LEPROSY ARCHIVES
The Global Project on the History of Leprosy is the initiative of The International Leprosy Association (in conjunction with WHO and the Nippon Foundation) and the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at Oxford. England.
The Project is developing a database of leprosy archives around the world in order to record the existence of documents relating to medical research and other areas of study in the field of leprosy. This is located at: http://www.leprosyhistory.org
The database is to be a working tool for researchers who are interested in the early-modern to modern history of leprosy (from 1847 when Danielssen and Boeck published Om Spedalskhed).
While the database creates pathways for researchers, the project will also encourage a network of researchers. In collaboration with the European Association for the History of Medicine and Health (EAHMH) an international network for the history of leprosy will hold a workshop in early 2003.
If you own, or are aware of, a collection of primary sources that forms part of the story of medical research into leprosy, or on any aspect of the history of this disease, we would like to hear from you. Visit our website for more information, or contact us:
We are: Dr Jo Robertson (Research Officer)
Debbie Emmitt (Administrative Assistant)
Address: Oxford University, Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, 45-47 Banbury Road. Oxford. 0X2 6PE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1865 284627 Fax: +44 (0)1865 274 605
Email: leprosy.history@wuhmo.ox.ac.uk
U.S.A. 42nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 27-30 September 2002, San Diego, California, U.S.A. Contact: Meetings Department, American Society for Microbiology, 1325 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20005-4171, U.S.A. Tel: +1-202-9429248: Fax: +1-202-942-9340; E-mail: meetingsinfo@asmusa.org
U.S.A. 40th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 24-27 October 2002. Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Contact: Phil Bolin. Infectious Diseases Society of American. 99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314, U.S.A. Tel: +1-709-299-0200; Fax: +1-703299-0204; E-mail: infor@idsociety.org
U.S.A. ASTMH 51st Annual Meeting. 10-14 November 2002. Denver. Colorado, U.S.A. Contact: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 60 Revere Drive, Suite 500, Northbrook, IL 60062, U.S.A. Tel: +1-847-480-9592; Fax: +1-847-4809282; Web: www.astnih.org/meetings.html