Guidelines for Strengthening Participation of Persons Affected by Leprosy in Leprosy Services

These Guidelines recognise the major role persons affected by leprosy have to play in leprosy services especially in the areas of advocacy, awareness and rehabilitation as a means to not only empower persons affected by leprosy, but also to change the attitudes and behaviours of others towards those who are affected by leprosy.

Ensuring that persons affected by leprosy are the central focus of anti-leprosy efforts is identified as a key strategic activity in the World Health Organization’s Enhanced Global Strategy for Reducing the Disease Burden due to Leprosy 2011-2015. Whilst this has long been considered essential, this is the first time that it is been written into global anti-leprosy policy. These Guidelines, which were developed in 2010 by leprosy partners including ILEP, The Nippon Foundation, national leprosy programme managers and individuals affected by leprosy, suggest how persons affected by this disease can contribute towards the delivery of leprosy services and raise awareness about this disease among the general public and media.   

By becoming involved in activities ranging from the planning and managing of leprosy services, resource mobilisation, referral, training, capacity building, supporting those who also have leprosy in self-help groups for example and lobbying for changes to legislation, it is anticipated that the personal involvement of persons affected by leprosy will reverse centuries of negative attitudes towards leprosy and those who are affected by this disease and eliminate discriminatory and stigmatising attitudes and behaviours.

Download in English here:http://www.ilep.org.uk/fileadmin/uploads/Documents/WHO_Publications/whoGuideLepAffectedPersonsParticiptn.pdf

Categories: Africa, Asia, Europe, International Collaboration, Middle East, North and Central America, Oceania, South America