The WHO will send leprosy drugs to Nigeria this weekend after a year-long delay due to testing issues. Nigeria reports over 1,000 leprosy cases each year but faced a drug shortage caused by bureaucratic delays. Patients are suffering as treatment has been halted, leading to increased risks of irreversible disabilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to send leprosy drugs to Nigeria this weekend after resolving a year-long delay caused by testing hold-ups. Thousands of patients in Nigeria, including children, will finally receive treatment essential for preventing irreversible disabilities caused by leprosy, a disease linked to the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
Nigeria, having over 1,000 cases of leprosy annually, ran out of the essential multi-drug therapy due to bureaucratic delays and requirements for new domestic testing on imported medications. A WHO spokesperson confirmed that after a one-time waiver on the testing policy was granted in January, a drug dispatch from India was scheduled. “A dispatch of leprosy drugs from India has been confirmed for 8 March, with arrival in Nigeria on 9 March,” the spokesperson noted.
The drug shortage has led to significant hardships in Nigeria, reminiscent of similar stockouts in other countries. Health professionals worry that the lack of treatment increases the risk of spreading leprosy, as seen at ERCC Hospital, where many patients were sent home due to treatment unavailability. One patient, Awwal Musa, reported worsening health and physical deterioration since halting her treatment.
At ERCC Hospital, health workers emphasized their aim to prevent permanent disabilities among leprosy patients. “If they lose their fingers, where are you going to get the fingers and give them again?” asked Kuzeh Thomas, a hospital director, highlighting the urgent need for continuous treatment. Reports state that Nigeria’s request for leprosy doses from WHO was delayed, further complicating the situation.
The drugs are manufactured by Novartis and are distributed without charge through a WHO program. However, Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control demanded additional testing upon arrival. While Novartis reiterated its commitment to combating leprosy, insiders acknowledged significant structural challenges in the distribution system, as echoed by U.N. rapporteurs and local health advocates. The continued lack of access to life-saving medications exacerbates the difficulties faced by Nigeria’s most vulnerable leprosy patients.
The WHO’s upcoming shipment of leprosy drugs to Nigeria marks the resolution of a prolonged delay affecting thousands of patients. This situation underscores the vulnerabilities within global health supply chains and the urgent need for improved coordination. Continued advocacy and support are critical to ensure that leprosy patients receive timely and effective treatment to prevent serious health complications.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
