February 14, 2025

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Leprosy in Rwanda: A Call for Timely Diagnosis and Treatment

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has urged the public to seek early diagnosis and treatment for leprosy as soon as symptoms appear. One of Rwanda’s nine neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), leprosy primarily spreads through airborne transmission in public spaces.

Rwanda has a low prevalence rate of leprosy, with less than one case per 10,000 people, meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) elimination target for 2030. Currently, the country records 0.002 cases per 10,000 people, with 37 individuals living with the disease, according to the 2024 National Population Census.

Kizito Nshyimiyimana, a Senior Leprosy Officer in the TB and Respiratory Diseases Division at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).

Despite this progress, new cases continue to emerge. Kizito Nshyimiyimana, a Senior Leprosy Officer in the TB and Respiratory Diseases Division at RBC, emphasized the importance of early screening and treatment.

“It is crucial to seek treatment in time. Leprosy causes skin and nerve damage, and without timely intervention, it can lead to permanent disability affecting limbs, eyes, and other body parts,” Nshyimiyimana said. In 2024 alone, 29 new cases and 8 relapses were recorded.

He noted that leprosy symptoms can take between 5 and 20 years to appear, manifesting as white skin lesions, muscle weakness, stiffness in body parts, loss of fingers or toes, enlarged nerves, and issues with the nose and eyes.

Nzangwa Health Centre in Rweru Sector, Bugesera District, houses a specialized leprosy treatment unit currently caring for five patients. Pierre CĂ©lestin RUKUNDO, a nurse at the center, stressed the importance of early detection.

“When treatment starts on time, recovery becomes easy. The disease is contagious but not hereditary. Symptoms often start as skin spots and can progress to severe complications, including limb amputation,” he explained.

Rukundo revealed that reprosy is treated using a multidrug regimen, which, once initiated, significantly reduces the risk of transmission.

Ernest BIZIMUNGU, a former leprosy patient, shared his experience of living with the disease unknowingly for four years before seeking treatment.

“Leprosy is dangerous because one can have it for years without realizing it. Once I started treatment, my recovery was quick, and I am now free of the disease,” he said, urging others to seek medical help at the first sign of symptoms.

Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which is transmitted through nasal droplets from close and frequent contact with infected individuals. Despite global advancements in treatment, thousands of new cases are still reported annually, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Since the 1980s, nearly 16 million leprosy patients worldwide have received treatment, leading to its elimination in 108 of the 122 countries where it was once a public health concern.

In Rwanda, the Ministry of Health established the National Leprosy Control Service in 1984. Between 1977 and 1987, 564 new cases were registered, and by 1982, multidrug therapy (MDT) was introduced for all new patients.

Leprosy cases in Rwanda have steadily declined. Between 2003 and 2014, 364 cases were identified, but the following decade saw a 27% decrease, with 267 cases recorded from 2014 to 2023. Over the past five years, the country has averaged 27 new cases annually, with a detection rate of 0.25 per million people—an encouraging step toward elimination.

Although Rwanda has made significant progress in controlling leprosy, the disease remains a public health concern. Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing complications and further transmission. Health officials continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms, reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment to eradicating leprosy.

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