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2019年2月 エチオピア開催 ハンセン病回復者団体アフリカ地域会合

  • This was the very first time for all organizations of persons affected by leprosy to come to one table, see each other and to discuss the problems. Through the discussion, all organizations understood that they’ve faced the same kind of problems, resulting in an idea to formulate the “Alliance of African Region”. Ms. Lilibeth, IDEA Ghana will prepare Prospectus of the Alliance by the end of April 2019.
    Ethiopia (ENAPAL) raised the doubt on the name of “Persons AFFECTED by Leprosy” and stressed that that terminology have brought negative impression and accelerated misconception on leprosy. Other participants also agreed with this idea and decided to bring this matter to the World Assembly to be held in Manila in 2019.
    Nigeria and Tanzania stressed that “leprosy is not the problem of the NUMBERS” referred to current behaviors of the governments on leprosy. The participants mentioned that in general most of the governments keep silence and/or ignore issues on leprosy in Africa.

Date

February 14-15, 2019

Venue

Haven Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Participated Organization

Ethiopia: ENAPAL, Ethiopian National Association of People Affected by Leproy
Ghana:   IDEA Ghana
Nigeria:  IDEA Nigeria
Tanzania:TLA, Tanzania Leprosy Association

Morocco: APAMH

Program

DAY 1: February 14, 2019

Opening
10:00-10:05 Opening remarks
10:05-10:20 Presentation of Participants
10:20-10:30 Welcome Speech (Mr. Bekele, ENAPAL)
10:30-10:40 Welcome Speech (Mr. Tadesse, ENAPAL)
10:40-11:45 Keynote message (Dr. Nanri, SMHF), Q&A

Session 1:Organizational Challenges, success & learning experience
12:00-12:25 Tanzania (TLA)
12:25-12:50 Morocco (APAMH)
12:50-13:30 Ghana (IDEA Ghana)
————–
14:30-15:30 Ethiopia (ENAPAL)
15:30-16:30 Nigeria (IDEA Nigeria)

Session: 2 Challenges of African Organizations (16:30-18:00)

Summary of Session 2

A) Awareness raising is crucial in Africa
Most attention at the health service goes to HIV and TB. As the result, many health staff and government officials do not pay attention to leprosy cases.
B) No commitment from the governments
Not enough budget allocated to leprosy treatment service. Morocco mentioned that the government has kept silence on leprosy and does not recognize the disease itself.
C) MDT is FREE but OUT OF STOCK
MDT is free but MDT is not available at the health facilities in the grassroots level.
D) Financial challenge to get services for leprosy related disease
Like diabetics, sight problem, blood pressure, heart case and urine problem that requires surgery, etc. since most people affected by leprosy are living in poverty as the result of longstanding stigma and discrimination.
E) NO easy access to leprosy care service
Nigeria, Tanzania and Morocco stressed this point. Although HIV and TB patients could receive medical service/treatment at the health facilities nearby, the service is not available for leprosy patients. The limited access to health facilities disturbs appropriate consultation and treatment. Also, the access to physical rehabilitation also has been deteriorated significantly.

DAY 2: February 15, 2019

Session 3:Alliance of African Region, future collaboration and mutual cooperation
(9:30-11:00)

Summary of Session 3

In the session 2, all organizations came to realize that they’ve faced the same kind of problems and came up with an idea to formulate “Alliance of African Region”. Ms. Lilibeth, IDEA Nigeria will prepare Prospectus of Alliance by the end of April 2019. The participants also agreed that they should make one voice to make the change happen.
At the farewell dinner, all agreed that the Alliance will launch the campaign of “World Leprosy Day 2020” together by using the same logo. 

Session 4:Word Assembly for Persons Affected by Leprosy (Hansen’s disease)
(11:20-12:30)

Summary of Session 4

Ethiopia (ENAPAL) raised the doubt on the name of “Persons AFFECTED by Leprosy” and stressed that that terminology have brought negative impression and accelerate misconception on leprosy. Other participants also agreed with this idea and decided to bring this matter to the World Assembly to be held in Manila in 2019.

Nigeria and Tanzania stressed that “Leprosy is not the problem of the NUMBERS” referred to current situation of the governments. The participants agreed to discuss it more at the World Assembly.

Session 5:Field Visit in Addis Ababa (13:30-17:00)