According to the Central Dermatology Hospital, there are still 40-60 new leprosy patients nationwide each year. Some major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have recorded leprosy cases in recent years.
Leprosy treatment medication is provided free of charge to patients nationwide. Without early treatment, leprosy causes almost irreversible disability.
PHOTO: LIEN CHAU
"In addition to implementing treatment, the country also implements preventive treatment for close contacts, helping to rapidly reduce the prevalence of leprosy bacteria in Vietnam. 100% of close contacts of new leprosy patients are treated according to the World Health Organization's protocol."
"Leprosy medications are provided free of charge to patients. Vietnam's treatment protocol is similar to those used worldwide ," said Associate Professor Dr. Le Huu Doanh, Director of the Central Dermatology Hospital.
This information was provided by Mr. Doanh during his visit to extend New Year greetings to leprosy patients at a leprosy treatment and care facility in Quynh Lap, Nghe An on January 10th.
If left untreated, leprosy causes almost irreversible disability.
According to Mr. Doanh, leprosy has a long incubation period and is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. If left untreated, patients will suffer disabilities (amputation, loss of fingers/toes; disabilities in the legs, eyes, etc.), which are difficult to reverse and sometimes persist over time, requiring lifelong care.
Investing in the treatment and care of leprosy patients involves not only basic equipment but also attention to disability care for patients.
From 2025, the Central Dermatology Hospital launched a campaign to provide prosthetic limbs to patients in leprosy treatment centers, and has implemented it in the North. In 2026, the focus will be on leprosy treatment and care facilities in the South, and in the future, the goal is to provide prosthetic limbs to all leprosy patients who need them.
The hospital also conducts screening and epidemiological investigation programs in areas where leprosy is still prevalent, to assess the epidemiology and risk of new cases.
For many years, the country has implemented disease prevention and control programs, eliminating leprosy at the provincial level nationwide since 2015 and moving towards zero leprosy in Vietnam.
On November 10th, Associate Professor Dr. Le Huu Doanh and a delegation from the Central Dermatology Hospital visited and extended New Year greetings to patients at the leprosy treatment ward of the Central Leprosy and Dermatology Hospital in Quynh Lap (Nghe An). 137 gifts and lucky money envelopes (1 million VND per person) were presented to the patients.
Quynh Lap currently has the highest number of leprosy patients in the country. Here, patients with stable health can be cared for in the family ward, but about 50% require intensive care.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cap-mien-phi-thuoc-dieu-tri-benh-phong-185260111122952654.htm
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