Abstract
We studied the leprosy control program in the Kingdom of Morocco where a national leprosy hospital and 14 regional leprosy services are participating. They have close relationships with local health centers therefore most of the leprosy control activities and general health services are performed simultaneously. AMAAF, the NGO in this country, has been serving medical and non-medical supports for leprosy patients and their family members, resulting in a great improvement of their social status.
The guideline of the treatment of leprosy in this country is composed of unique multidrug therapy and subsequent DDS monotherapy. No relapse case has been found for 16 years since the introduction of this regimen. The prevalence declined steeply from 0.75-1.5%, estimated in 1980, to 0.4/10, 000 in 1997. This reduction is considered to be achieved by the decreased infectious sources that was brought about by the voluntary seeking for medical care of leprosy patients encouraged by the decreased social stigma. Although the current prevalence rate is well bellow the elimination prevalence' of 1/10, 000 on the national level, there are many residual areas especially in the mountainous legions where the prevalence is very high. The current anti-leprosy activities should be continued and intensified especially in these areas. The successful result of leprosy control program in Morocco suggests the possibility of this program to be a model for another western African countries, some of which have still high prevalence of leprosy.
