Kiribati continues to have a high number of leprosy cases, however our persistent hard work, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, is showing success as we are seeing a shift in the severity of cases diagnosed, meaning cases are being found earlier, and also a reduction in child cases which indicates a reduction in transmission. Overall cases are declining too, but at 154 cases last year in a total population of 120,000, we still have a lot to do.

Leprosy doesn’t discriminate in terms of social standing, wealth, poverty or age. When our team was last in Kiribati they met two men who, in Kiribati terms, where the life expectancy is 55-60, were elderly, (in their early 70s), and had recently been diagnosed with leprosy. Fortunately it is at the less severe end of the scale, and they should make a full recovery after 6 months of treatment. It was just a coincidence that they came into the clinic at the same time. They enjoyed meeting and were able to discuss their treatment. Both were pleased that their families would be checked and given preventative doses of rifampicin over the next two year and would continue to be checked for a further 3 years after that. The man on the right was especially happy to have this reassurance as he has a young wife and 2-year-old child.