Nouakchott – Mauritania has witnessed a significant decline in leprosy cases since thanks to sustained efforts that have led to improvements in prevention, detection and treatment. Only 17 new cases were recorded in 2023 compared with 42 reported in 2010.

Among the key aspects in the country’s fight against leprosy – an infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the skin, nerves and mucous membranes and can cause severe disabilities if not detected early and treated – are prevention, active case finding, treatment of complications and combating stigma.

For Mariam*, a resident of Arafat district in the capital of Nouakchott, dealing with stigma after being diagnosed with the disease, which she initially though was a simple skin problem, has been especially difficult, she says. “I was surprised by the leprosy diagnosis, but I decided to stay calm and focus on the treatment. The hardest part was coping with the stigma: the looks and judgements of other people were often too hard to bear.”

In at-risk communities, especially low income and with limited access to health care, an active screening system helps in early case detection, increasing the chances of recovery without sequelae and curbing the spread of the disease. “To be effective, the full course of the treatment must be followed, between 6 and 12 months, depending on the severity of the case. A patient under treatment is no longer contagious," says Dr Salma Yahya, dermatologist and medical officer in charge of diagnosing and treating patients with leprosy at the National Hospital Centre of Nouakchott. 

In the efforts to raise public awareness and reduce stigma, health personnel and community workers insist on the importance of seeking early medical attention. “We ensure that anyone affected by this disease, wherever they are, have equal chance to be diagnosed and treated,” says Dr Elhadj Malick Kane, coordinator of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme. 

Mauritania eliminated leprosy as a public health problem. Thanks to sustained efforts by the Ministry of Health with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners.

WHO continues to support Mauritania in addressing the threat of leprosy. More than 30 health workers have been trained in early diagnosis and effective treatment. The Organization provides medicines and supports contact tracing as well as diagnosis and preventive treatment within families and communities to interrupt transmission. Thanks to the holistic approach that comprises treatment, public awareness drives and monitoring of patients has seen treatment completion rate rise to over 90% in 2023.

“Thousands of patients have been cured thanks to the free treatment. We are continuing our efforts to support the country to achieve interruption of transmission and complete elimination of leprosy through early detection, effective treatment and enhanced community awareness,” says Dr Babacar Dieye, in charge of encompass neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) at WHO in Mauritania. Our support covers all neglected tropical diseases to strengthen the country’s health system and sustainably improve the quality of life of the populations.”

Mauritania is working towards interrupting transmission and achieving zero cases of leprosy. Combating stigma is a key component in achieving these goals. “Leprosy is often perceived as a disease that cause disability and many mistakenly believe that it has been eradicated. This [belief] fuels stigma,” says Dr Yahya. “With awareness campaigns, the population understands the disease better, and this helps to reduce stigma.”

Mauritania has also integrated leprosy screening and treatment into its comprehensive NTD control programme. For patients, post-treatment monitoring is helping to manage complications and reduce the chances of recurrence.

“I had monthly appointments to check my health and adjust the treatment if necessary,” says Mariam. My doctor always answered my questions and reassured me about the treatment and follow-up. The quality of care I received was excellent.”

* Not her real name.