- Volume 62 , Number 1
- Page: 150–5
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.
China. National Training Course on Pathology of Leprosy held in Nanjing. A training course on the histopathology ofleprosy was conducted by the Jiangsu Provincial Leprosy Association under the auspices of the China Leprosy Association at the Inpatient Department of the Nanjing Dermatological Control Center from 5 October to 11 November 1993. The course covered embryology, histology, immunochemistry, laboratory methods, pathology of leprosy and 120 kinds of skin diseases, with the curriculum ratio of lecture time to practice time being 2 to 1. Eighteen participants from different Chinese provinces successfully completed the training course. -Dr. Wang Tiesheng
France. 1994 Prix Paul Laviron . Le prix Paul Laviron sera attribué par l'Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées.
Présentation: Ce prix est destiné à récompenser des travaux sur la lèpre, sa connaissance, sa thérapeutique, son contrôle. Ces trevaux devront être substantiels et originaux. Ils seront rédigés en français ou dans une autre langue, mais ils comprendront alors un résumé important en français. Ce seront des travaux non publiés, ou des travaux publiés depuis moins de cinq ans. Le montant du prix est de dix mille francs français.
Modalités du concours: Les candidatures au prix doivent être adressées au Médecin Général Inspecteur, Directeur de l'Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées, pour le 1er février 1994. Les candidats devront y joindre, en double exemplaires, une présentation de leurs travaux, accompagnée des documents correspondants.
Composition du jury: Le prix sera décerné par un jury de dix membres, à savoir: 7 membres de l'Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées: le directeur, le sous-directeur, le chef du Centre de recherche, les professeurs titulaires de Médecine Tropicale, de Chirurgie Tropicale, d'Epidcmiologic et Santé Publique Tropicales, et de Biochimie Tropicale; 2 professeurs de l'Université d'Aix-Marscille, membres du Conseil de Perfectionnement de l'Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées; le directeur de l'Institut Marchoux de Bamako (Mali) ou son représentant. La composition du jury pourra être modifiée si la nature spécialisée des travaux présentés l'exige.
Remise du prix: Le prix Paul Laviron sera remis au lauréat lors de la cérémonie annuelle de fin de scolarité de l'Institut de Médecine Tropical du Service de Santé des Armées.
Adresser les travaux ou les demandes de renseignements à: Monsieur le Médecin Général Inspecteur, Directeur de l'Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées, Parc du Pharo B. P. 46, 13998 Marseille Armées, France.
Germany. 28th World Conference of the IUA TLD to be held . From 14-17 June 1994 the 28th World Conference of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) will be held in Mainz. For details contact: 28th IUATLD/ UICTMR World Congress on Lung Health, % CPO Hanser Service GmbH, P.O. Box 1221, D-2000 Hamburg-Barsbuttel, Germany.
India. 1993 Annual Meeting of Voluntary Organizations and State Leprosy Officers . The Annual Meeting of the Voluntary Organizations and State Leprosy Officers, jointly organized by the Directorate General of Health Services, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, was held from 16-18 November 1993 at the Lady Hardinge Medical College Auditorium, New Delhi. The meeting was inaugurated by Hon'ble Shri B. Shankaranand, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chairman of the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh; Dr. A. K. Mukherjee, Director General of Health Services, welcomed the delegates. His Welcome Address was followed by addresses by Shri R. L. Misra, IAS, Union Health Secretary and Dr. N. K. Shah, WHO Representative, and address by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri B. Shankaranand. Around 300 delegates consisting of representatives of Voluntary Organizations, State Leprosy Officers, NLEP Consultants, and other eminent experts attended the meeting.
On the opening day, Dr. S. K. Noordeen, Chief, Leprosy Program, World Health Organization, Geneva, delivered a State of the Art Lecture on "Global Elimination of Leprosy-Challenges Ahead" which was followed by another lecture on the Indian scene by Dr. N. S. Dharmshaktu, Asst. Director General of Health Services (Leprosy) on "NLEP at a Glance." The meeting had four group discussions on the following topics: 1) Role of HKNS as a co-ordinating agency of Voluntary Organizations in NLEP; 2) Strategy and action plan for elimination of leprosy by the year 2000 A.D.; 3) Prevention of disability-need for additional thrust under NLEP; 4) Special measures for detection of leprosy in women and children.
In addition three plenary sessions at which the problems and issues related to Voluntary Organizations were discussed and recommendations of the group reports were finalized were also held. The Valedictory Session on the concluding day was Chaired by Dr. S. K. Noordeen, Chief, Leprosy Program, WHO, and Mr. Habayeb Salim of the World Bank. The summing up was done by Shri S. P. Tare, and votes of thanks were given by Dr. N. S. Dharmshaktu, ADG (Lep) and Dr. B. N. Mittal, DDG (Lep). The meeting was a great success and the participants had very useful discussions. -Kusht Vinashak 15(1993)25-26
BLP inaugurates " Prevention of Deformity Cell. " The Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP) is engaged in programs aimed at Prevention of Deformities (POD) in addition to leprosy control activities. To give an unprecedented boost to POD in Bombay, BLP in collaboration with the Indian Leprosy Foundation (ILEF) started an exclusive cell for POD on 2 October 1993, Gandhi Jayanti Day. The cell was inaugurated by Mr. A. P. Deshpande, Hon. Secretary, Marathi Vidnyan Parishad (MVP), on the premises offered by MVP to BLP.
Dr. R. Ganapati, Director, BLP, welcomed the audience and said that the preventive approach to field care of all categories of disabled leprosy patients at their doorstep using simple inexpensive technology was a BLP dream. He was confident that this dream can be achieved at the national level in close collaboration with leading associations, like ILEF and MVP, in view of the high success rate of operational research in disability care. The cell will be the nucleus to cater to the present needs of the National Leprosy Eradication Program to eliminate leprosy by 2000 A.D., which is our common concern. He also complimented the BLP staff for significant contributions made over the years.
Mr. S. Kingsley, Physiotherapy Technician, BLP, explained the uses of prefabricated splints for the prevention and correction of hand deformities prepared on a large scale by general handicapped persons at the "Integrated Splint Workshop" which is funded by ILEF. Mr. A. P. Tripathi, BLP Physiotherapy Technician, demonstrated the technique for making grip-aids for grossly hand-deformed patients.
While proposing a vote of thanks, Dr. C. R. Revankar, Deputy Director, BLP, said that the dedication of the BLP staff and the worthy efforts of ILEF will bring a great change in the life of every leprosy patient in our country. Representatives from ILEF, MVP, Managing Committee Members and staff of BLP attended the function. On this occasion an exhibition was also arranged to explain the POD cell activities of BLP.- Materials provided by Dr. R. Ganapati
Dharmendra Award donations requested . The Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh has decided to institute a "Dharmendra Award for Lepprospect for better understanding of the barosy Research in India," beginning this year cillus, the disease, and its ultimate eradiin memory of the late Dr. Dharmendra, the cation. doyen of Indian leprologists, whose contributions in the field have been enormous. The Award is designed to attract young scientists to undertake leprosy research in laboratory work, medicine, surgery, field work, rehabilitation, etc., which will have the prospect for better understanding of the bacillus, the disease, and its ultimate eradication.
The Award will be given in the form of butions in the field have been enormous. a plaque and citation with a cash prize of The Award is designed to attract young sci100,000 rupees to the selected recipient. In entists to undertake leprosy research in laborder to provide an annual Award of oratory work, medicine, surgery, field work, 100,000 rupees, a capital fund of at least rehabilitation, etc., which will have the 700,000 to 800,000 rupees is needed. The Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh will contribute 300,000 rupees from its own funds and wishes to raise the remainder from other sources. Contributions may be sent to: Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110 001, India.
GMLF holds first Workshop on Teaching Methodology for Trainers of Leprosy Training Centers . A Workshop for Trainers of Leprosy Training Centers of the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra was conducted by the Gandhi Memorial Foundation (GMLF) at Wardha from 24 to 29 February 1992. The Workshop, the first in a series, was sponsored by the German Leprosy Relief Association, Wurzburg, Germany.
The Workshop was attended by 17 teachers of 9 leprosy training centers in the three States. Of them 9 were doctors, 7 were nonmedical supervisors, and 1 was a leprosy control supervisor-training officer. Nine of the participants had teaching experience of over 10 years, two of 5-10 years and six of less than 5 years.
A report of the Workshop entitled "Cascade of Workshops on Teaching Methodology" has been published by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, P. O. Hindinagar, Wardha 442103, Maharashtra, India.-From the Report
Indian Journal of Leprosy new address . The new address of the Editorial Office of the Indian Journal of Leprosy is 12 First Seaward Road, Valmikinagar, Madras 600041, India.
Mozambique. Leprosy manual and computer program in use . A "Manual de Lepra" has been prepared and printed by the Mozambique National TB/Leprosy Program. The 90-page (including an appendix of forms and instructions), soft-bound manual in Portuguese is intended for use as a practical tool by peripheral health workers. The illustrated manual will be used for the next 1 or 2 years and then reviewed and combined in a joint manual with a new version of Mozambique's TB manual which is still in preparation.
Along with the manual a computerized register program has been devised to record data on leprosy patients. It uses DBase III Plus and statistical analysis is performed by EPI-INFO 5.01 (as in use in Malawi by Rev. Garland).
For information on this new manual and computer program contact: Leonida Compostella, M.D., Chief, AIFO-MOZ Project, C. P. 4344, Maputo, Mozambique.
The Netherlands. INFOLEP provides copies of papers presented at Pre-Congress Leprosy Control Workshop . Copies of original papers presented prior to the XIV International Leprosy Congress in Orlando at the Workshop on Guidelines for Leprosy Control Managers may be ordered from: INFOLEP Leprosy Information Services, Netherlands Leprosy Relief Association, Wibautstraat 135, 1097 DN Amsterdam, The Netherlands (tel. 31-20-6938973; fax 31-20-6680823). We list below the papers available from that Workshop.
Ahsan Ali, A. K. The Changing Leprosy Situation: Implications for Training Requirements for Managers and Health Staff
Chiang, J. T. Maintenance of Leprosy Knowledge and Skills under Low Prevalence Conditions: Integration and/or Combination with Other Vertical Programs
Chitimba, N. M. Management of Leprosy Control at District Level: Key Issues for Health Services Managers
Darma, Bashir A. The Need for Accelerated MDT Implementation: Action to Be Taken by Program Managers
Daumerie, D. The Gaps between Reported Information and Reality: Data Requirements at the National and Operational Levels of Leprosy Control Programs
Gomes de Andrade, Vera Lucia. Urban Leprosy Control: The Need for Specific Guidelines for Program Managers
Janssens, Luc. Data Processing and Analysis in Routine Leprosy Control Programs: Lessons Learned from OMSLEP
Kibuga, Daniel K. The Changing Leprosy Situation: Implications for the Cost-Effectiveness of Leprosy Control Interventions
König, J. The Fear of Unemployment: A New Risk Factor in Leprosy Control?
Lever, Peter. Effects of Achieving Full MDT Coverage: Implications for Patient Management and Program Management
Li Huan-Ying. Very Short Drug Regimens in Leprosy Control: Implementation for Patient Management and Program Management
Lobo, D. The Involvement of the Private and Informal Sectors in Leprosy Control
Lombardi, C. The Changing Position of Leprosy Control Managers: Implications for Responsibilities, Tasks and Training
Luengu-Boyau, Mputu. MDT Implementation in Areas of Difficult Accessibility: The Case of Zaïre
Nguyen Van Thuc. Implications of Short Duration MDT on the Prevention of Disabilities: Guidelines for Identification of Patients at Risk and Case Management
Reddy, B. N. Employee Motivation and Job Enrichment in the National Leprosy Eradication Program in India
Rosmini Day. Combination of Leprosy Control Program with other Disease Control Programs
Sofola, T. O. Health Education in Leprosy under Low Prevalence Conditions
Soldenhoff, R. de. The Involvement of Means of Mass Communication for Improved Leprosy Control
Verhage, Rien. The (Disabled) Leprosy Patient as Partner in Leprosy Control: Stigma as Signpost
Walter, C. S. Cost Effective Infrastructure for Leprosy Services
Russia. Second armadillo bibliography published . Juscenko, A. A. and Tereschenko, R. G. Armadillos (Dasypodidae). Ecology, Biological Characteristics, Experimental Model in Biomedical Research. Bibliography (1981-1992). Astrakhan, Russia: Leprosy Research Institute, 1993, 64 pp. (Russian and English). This booklet is the second issue of the bibliographical index "Armadillos" and contains a list of publications of the recent decade and those published before 1982 but not included in the first one which was published in 1983. The compilers of the index, besides the publications on armadillo usage of leprosy researchers, have tried to include the most comprehensive list of the works devoted to systematics, anatomy and physiology, natural habitats of all representatives of the mammal family armadillo (the order of Edentata) and their usage in other applied and fundamental biomedical investigations. The issue is supplied with a subject index (in Russian and English) and an author index. A total of 446 publications are listed. The booklet is available free by contacting Dr. A. A. Juscenko, Leprosy Research Institute, GSP-7, Astrakhan 414000, Russia.
U.K. 1994 ILEP catalog of training centers published . ILEP has just published the 1994 catalog of training centers offering international courses in many areas of leprosy and tuberculosis control. Copies are available from the ILEP Coordinating Bureau. ILEP urges any centers running international courses and wanting to be included in the 1995 edition to contact them: ILEP Coordinating Bureau, 234 Blythe Road, London W14 OHJ, U.K.-ILEP flash 5(1993)2
New ILEP brochure out . A new ILEP brochure, published with the intention of providing information on the role of ILEP and ILEP Member-Associations in worldwide leprosy control, has been published. The brochure is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese. For copies of the brochure, along with Panorama (which includes a brief description of the Federation, latest statistics, current elected officials and staff at the Coordinating Bureau in English or French), contact: Pascale Vassie, Publications, ILEP, 234 Blythe Road, London W14 OHJ, U.K.
U.S.A. PA HO reports on Health Education in the Americas -1992. New cases of leprosy detected in 1992 in the Americas numbered 38,637, which represents 6% of the total new cases detected in the world. The total number of cases of leprosy registered in the region in 1992 was 283,469, which is nearly 13% of the world total of cases. The average prevalence rate was 4.08 per 10,000 population.
Brazil accounted for 88% of the new cases detected and 78% of the total existing cases. The prevalence rate in that country is 14.3 per 10,000 population, the highest in the region. Other countries or territories with high prevalence rates are Suriname, with 6.5 cases per 10,000 population; Guadeloupe, with 5.5; Colombia, with 4.6; Venezuela, with 4.0; Saint Lucia, with 3.7; and Paraguay, with 2.8. Ecuador, Cuba, Uruguay, and most of the countries or territories of the English-speaking Caribbean have already achieved prevalence rates of under 1 per 10,000, and the Dominican Republic is expected to reach that level in the near future.
Multidrug therapy continues to constitute the principal tool for the elimination of leprosy. Coverage with MDT in the region is 34.6%, compared with 48.7% at the global level.-Epidemiol Bull. 14(1993)6 (from the report)