Fiji has recorded two cases of leprosy this year bringing the total number of patients to sixteen over the past five years.
The Ministry of Health is now working to create awareness and educate all Fijians in a bid to avoid discrimination against those who are suffering from the disease.
However, Minister Jone Usamate says while the disease is curable and free treatment is available, one of their major fights is against discrimination of those suffering leprosy.
“Despite a small number of diagnosed cases of leprosy program me the program continues to maintain surveillance and patient rehabilitation support for patients with disabilities and their families .We have intensified dermatology outreach program me services and early case detection activities.”
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services Fiji Leprosy programme has achieved most of its targets to combat the diseases, ten years after the introduction of multi drug therapy .
