Current Problems and Future Prospects of Leprosy Control in Vietnam

Objectives<br> Vietnam, where leprosy used to be highly endemic, through governmental implementation of MDT in 1983 and nationwide disease control efforts, has achieved WHO's leprosy elimination goal at a national level since 1995. <br> However, a number of patients who suffered from leprosy prior to the governmental control programme remain institutionalised. Although these patients have severe physical disabilities, social services provided to improve their quality of life appear inadequate.<br> The purpose of this study is to report the findings of an investigation of the current state of leprosy and to clarify the problems of leprosy control in Vietnam.<br>Methods<br> 402 leprosy patients from two leprosy hospitals and four leprosy resettlement villages in Vietnam were investigated their disabilities on upper limb, inferior limb, and facial appearance. And their disabilities classified according to the WHO classification scheme for disabilities in leprosy patients.<br>Results<br> The group “Visible deformity or damage present” (G2) made up 70.1% of the study participants; the group “Anaesthesia present, but no visible deformity or damage” (G1) made up 18.9%; the group “No anaesthesia, no visible deformity or damage” (G0) made up 10.9%. More than half of those with visible physical disabilities were in their 60s or 70s. The level of disability of pre-MDT leprosy sufferers was significantly more severe than that of the post-MDT group.<br>Conclusions<br> The effect of MDT for prevention of occurrences of physical disability was reaffirmed, but for many patients who contracted the disease prior to the implementation of MDT in Vietnam, the after-effects of leprosy are ongoing and they are forced to live in resettlement villages due to their disability. Vietnam has reduced the prevalence rate, but there are still a number of former patients who are not receiving adequate help. Providing help that is needed to raise their quality of life is the next step.