Dermatologists, under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, have warned of a critical shortage of multidrug therapy for leprosy as Nigeria marks World Leprosy Day 2026.
NAD president, Prof Dasetima Altraide, expressed their concerns in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the shortage has lasted over two years, leaving patients in several states without life-saving medicines.
“Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is fully curable with WHO-recommended MDT, but regulatory and administrative delays stalled clearance and distribution of donated drugs,” he said.
Altraide said the required Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis certificates were not provided, preventing NAFDAC quality checks and patient access.
“Where treatment is unavailable, cure is impossible,” he said.
He warned that untreated leprosy causes nerve damage, deformities and continued transmission within affected communities.
NAN reports that the 2026 theme, ‘Leprosy is curable, but the real challenge is stigma’, highlights how treatment access reduces discrimination.
Altraide urged urgent intervention and inter-agency collaboration to release MDT supplies and restore nationwide access, warning future disruptions could undermine control efforts.
Citing a 17-year Lagos study, he said essential medicines were a public health duty, a human rights issue and a national responsibility.
NAN
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
