Drug resistance leprosy problem

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 7

Drug resistance leprosy problem

The increased numbers of leprosy cases resistant to drugs was one of the main causes of concern in the treatment of the disease said a Fijian medical expert in Christchurch. Dr Enele Karuru, medical superintendent of the Twomey Memorial Hospital in Suva, said that the drug Dapsone, which had been used to treat leprosy since 1948, was no longer effective in an increasing number of cases. Another, and more expensive drug, rifampicin, was partly effective where cases resisted the use of dapsone, but some cases were resistant even to the more expensive drug. ‘‘This drug-resistant strain of leprosy is the subject of much research throughout the. world,” Dr Karuru said. Dr Karuru, is in New Zealand to help the Leper Trust Board in this years Leper Man Appeal. He said that leprosy was no longer regarded with fear and suspicion in Fiji. Public education programmes and the “open-door” policy of the Twomey Memorial Hos-

pital. which was the central: ; hospital for the treatment of! leprosy in Fiji, had helped! to break down old mis-; • conceptions about the dis-l [ease. • “Because of this we are getting earlier referrals and this means that we can usually cure the condition. Also, on some days we have at our clinic many patients who come to the hospital 1 with complaints other than [ leprosy, for people are no longer fearful of coming in [ contact with this condition.” Dr Karuru said that fewer I children were suffering from I leprosy in Fiji since the in-; i ’reduction of B.C.G. vaccina-! ' tions for tuberculosis. An i 'agent in the vaccination; which was effective against! tuberculosis had proved in! many cases to be effective! 'against leprosy. “However, the main point; always is to catch . leprosy • as early as possible. If we| do not, then the effects of; the disease are often irrever-; sible and of course require! • consistent drug treatment.” ! “With the regular treatment and assessment, our people are able to lead fairly i full and productive lives,” .Dr Karuru said.