Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, to combat leprosy, the Department for International Development has supported the use of (1) contact tracing, (2) chemoprophylaxis, (3) improvements to water, sanitation and hygience (WASH), and (4) education about the transmission of leprosy.

DFID is a leading donor tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) globally through activities with the relevant part of WHO, research and strengthening health systems, which helps countries to prevent and treat ill health, including leprosy. The WHO, supported by Novartis, provides multidrug therapy (MDT) to all diagnosed leprosy patients in the world.

DFID does not have water, sanitation and hygiene programmes that target leprosy specifically, but DFID programmes focus on safe water that will support limb care and other needs of those afflicted with leprosy.

On education, the DFID-funded LEPRA project in Bangladesh uses a participatory approach, empowering women to detect the early signs of leprosy within their communities, teaching self-care practices and strengthening the local health service response.