Botswana: Strengthening Leprosy Elimination Efforts in Ngami and Okavango Districts
Botswana has gained a significant step in eliminating the hemp style disease, and continuously reported the zero -new automatic case. However, continuing to work hard to maintain this success and solve sporadic cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have recently strengthened their naughty work in the NGAMI and Okavango region. The focus of the plan is to update the national anesthesia criteria, train medical care workers, contact tracking and analyze epidemiological data to strengthen surveillance and management.
The team consisting of experts consisting of Tropical Disease (NTD) program (NTD) program (NTD) plan (national and regional offices) composed of Botswana Nationality (National and Regional Office), and the advisor to revise the 2012 leprosy criteria. The latest guidelines cover new epidemiological data, exquisite elimination standards, revising treatment plans, and expanding the coverage of SC sores and mold tumors (such as Scabies and MyCetoma). The transformation of the use of hair interest rate (MB) foam packaging to general treatment can ensure the standardized care of adults and children. The duration of Paucibacillary (PB) is six months, while MB cases are twelve months. The focus is also on the recommendation system for community participation and improvement to enhance case recognition.
With the need for strong surveillance, he had a training seminar for health professionals in the NGAMI district, including dermatologists, disease surveillance officials and health promotion officials. The training promoted by Dr. Alexandre Tiendrebeogo covers the management of leprosy cases to eliminate monitoring and diagnostic skills. Participants participating in actual exercises and discussions conducted predictions and post -tests, revealing that their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy and treatment has improved significantly. The plan is designed to provide front -line medical workers with the skills required for early discovery and effective management.
As part of the task, a field inspection was conducted in the Okavango and NGAMI regions to track the contact of patients with previous diagnosis. The team visited remote areas such as Gudigwa, Seronga and Beetsha, and evaluated five people, and four of them had been treated before. An important discovery is that it can be traced back to 2002. Because there is no visible skin plaques, the case has not been diagnosed. In addition, patients with leprosy of leprosy have also been guided by anti -inflammatory treatment. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance and follow -up care.
Botswana’s leprosy eliminates its efforts to achieve positive results. The annual report shows that the number of cases since 2000 has always been small. Although sporadic testing continues, especially among adults, it was not until 2023 that any children’s cases were reported. The latest epidemiological review emphasizes the demand for continued vigilance. Case testing, management of complications, and support for people related to leprosy. Strengthening social protection measures and connecting affected people with rehabilitation services are still the key points.
In order to maintain the progress of the hesline, the task put forward some key suggestions. Among them, the development of the anesthesia to eliminate files in order to submit Africa and headquarters, and finally determine the national NTD overall plan to guide the long -term disease control strategy, enhance the detection and management of cases, to effectively solve sporadic cases, and strengthen rehabilitation and society for individuals. Protecting disability related to leprosy. Through these measures, Botswana reiterated its commitment to eliminate leprosy as a positive hygiene threat, and at the same time ensured that there were no cases without diagnosis or not treated. The continuous cooperation between WHO, the Ministry of Health and the local health workers is still essential for achieving this goal.
APO Group represented the World Health Organization (WHO) and Botswana distributed.
