Nigeria Receives Vital Leprosy Drugs After Year-Long Delay

Nigeria is set to receive vital leprosy medications after a year-long delay, with the World Health Organization facilitating their arrival from India. The shortage was linked to new drug regulations, which also aimed to combat counterfeit medicines. Doctor Samimu Msheliza emphasized the necessity of these drugs to prevent disease transmission among untreated patients.

The World Health Organization has announced that Nigeria will receive essential leprosy treatment for the first time in a year, beginning this weekend. Annually, Nigeria documents over 2,000 new leprosy cases, but a shortage of medicines has persisted due to delays linked to new regulatory measures. The WHO has recommended that Nigeria temporarily relax its testing policy to expedite the arrival of these drugs from India, expected on Sunday.

Leprosy, while curable with a combination of antibiotics, can lead to serious health complications such as sores and nerve damage if left untreated. Treatment generally spans 6 to 12 months. However, the current unavailability of drugs has compelled hospitals to send patients home, increasing the risk of disease transmission within communities.

Dr. Samimu Msheliza, a public health expert and advisor for the Leprosy Mission in Nigeria, emphasized the critical need for medication, stating, “We have thousands of newly diagnosed leprosy patients across various cities who are just waiting for this drug.” He further expressed the urgency of the situation, noting that untreated patients are contributing to ongoing transmission of the disease.

One affected individual, Awwal Musa, from a hospital in Nasarawa state, reported a deterioration in her condition due to a lack of access to the required medications. Describing her physical state, she stated, “Before last year, my wounds were getting healed but now they are getting worse. The pain is worse.”

Nigeria’s drug regulatory authority recently implemented new regulations aimed at curbing the importation of counterfeit and sub-standard medications, which has drawn criticism due to its negative impact on the availability of necessary treatments, including those for leprosy. Though these measures seek to enhance safety, the current situation highlights the urgent need for balance between regulation and accessibility to vital health resources.

The arrival of leprosy treatment in Nigeria marks a critical turning point for thousands of patients who have been without medication for an entire year. While the new regulatory measures aim to protect against counterfeit drugs, they have inadvertently hindered access to essential treatments. Urgent action is required to address the healthcare needs of those affected by leprosy, ensuring that such delays do not pose further risks to public health.

Original Source: www.bbc.com