Mbanza Kongo - The lack of a specialised laboratory in health units in Zaire province has hampered the early diagnosis of leprosy cases in this part of the country.
According to the provincial supervisor of neglected tropical diseases, Nzilamosi Luvundisa, speaking to ANGOP today, the local health authorities are monitoring five patients with leprosy, detected in 2021 and 2022, in the municipalities of Mbanza Kongo, Cuimba and Nzeto.
He explained that four of the five leprosy cases that have already been cured were diagnosed in 2021 following a screening campaign organised by the National Leprosy Control Directorate.
Nzilamosi Luvundisa said that many leprosy patients present themselves to the health authorities at an advanced stage of the disease, and for this reason he advocated regular active prospecting campaigns in the affected municipalities.
The provincial supervisor for neglected tropical diseases in Zaire also advocated the creation of a leprosarium in the region to treat lepers.
Among the neglected tropical diseases, he mentioned human trypanosomiasis, leprosy, schistosomiasis, buruli ulcer, paracytosis, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. DA/JL/DAN/DOJ
