The Global Leprosy Programme of the WHO, in consultation with partners, has finalised the Operational Guidelines. These accompany the Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Leprosy Burden and Sustaining Leprosy Control Activities 2006-2010. Dr Vijaykumar Pannikar, Team Leader, WHO Global Leprosy Programme, has asked ILEP to help all health workers in leprosy endemic countries have access to these Operational Guidelines. 

WHO, ILEP and National Programme Managers share expertise

The Operational Guidelines are the result of several months of writing, review and revision by experts from around the world.

A number of ILEP persons played a key role. Dr Paul Saunderson drafted the Operational Guidelines. He is the Leprosy Consultant for the American Leprosy Missions. He has special responsibility for education and teaching and training materials within the ILEP Technical Commission. The Chair of this Commission, Dr Pieter Feenstra, also made a large contribution.

National Programme Managers of leprosy endemic countries and representatives of WHO and ILEP approved the final version of the Operational Guidelines at a Global Leprosy Forum in Aberdeen in April. Both the WHO Technical Advisory Group and the ILEP Technical Commission endorsed the final draft.

What is the purpose of the Operational Guidelines?

The Operational Guidelines:

• set out an agreed agenda for leprosy work worldwide for the period 2006-2010
• define and explain terms, concepts and activities mentioned in the Global Strategy
• indicate how to implement the Global Strategy in the context of a National Programme

 Who are the Operational Guidelines for?

They are for those who are required to implement the Global Strategy in their country:

• national health service managers
• mid-level managers responsible for leprosy control activities

Key features

In the foreword, Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director of WHO for SE Asia says: "...particular attention should be given to ensuring that the quality of services is not compromised." Besides quality of treatment, the Operational Guidelines emphasise care for people affected by leprosy and a further reduction of the burden of leprosy.

The key indicators for monitoring this strategy are: the number of new cases detected and the treatment completion/cure rate.

Click below for the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Leprosy Burden and Sustaining Leprosy Control Activities 2006-2010.

Download in English (large version)

Download in English (small version)

Download in French

Download in Portuguese

Complementary information on prevention of disability in new ILEP publication

The information on prevention of disability in the Learning Guide 4: Prevention of Disability in Leprosy is complementary to the information on POD in the Operational Guidelines. Recently WHO endorsed this Guide. A draft is now available on the ILEP web site.

Download Learning Guide 4: Part 1

Download Learning Guide 4: Part 2

Download Learning Guide 4: Part 3 

 

Categories: International Collaboration