The reduction of the leprosy endemicity in northeastern Zaire 1975/1989.

The leprosy endemy in Uele, North Eastern region of Zaire has declined considerably since the 1950's, particularly since 1975. The hypothesis is advanced that the most important causal factor has been the distribution of dapsone for many years, through a vertical programme. The gradual increase of dapsone resistance has been taken care of by the introduction of combined, multidrug therapy in the 1980's. The cost per patient detected and treated rises in inverse proportion to the decline in endemy; therefore, the time has come for the integration of a leprosy control in the primary health care strategy. However, central specialized teams financed by voluntary organisations should be maintained to assure training of personnel, to give advice in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of complications, to provide drugs and to assist in rehabilitation.

[The evaluation of an anti-leprosy program in Uélés (1975-1989)]. / Evaluation du programme de lutte contre la lèpre dans les Uélés (1975-1989).

Foperda, who took over and continued the work initiated in 1924 by the Congo Red Cross, is responsible for the programme of fight against leprosy in the Ueles region (Zaire). Important results have been obtained since 1975 in the framework of a specialised medical service. These results are exposed and discussed herebelow. The evolution of the endemic leprosy in the region under survey allows to contemplate new trends for the pursuit of the programme in the coming years (controlled integration within polyvalent health services).