WHO Recognises Kiwis’ Fight Against Leprosy in the Pacific

15 April 2011

The work of a small Christchurch-based non-government organisation (NGO) has so impressed the World Health Organisation (WHO) that a very senior overseas official popped in for a visit this week.

The three-person Christchurch-based Pacific Leprosy Foundation is the only NGO in the world to focus solely on eliminating leprosy in the Pacific—something the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region Dr Shin Young-soo from Korea is also committed to achieving.

He had heard about the Foundation’s work when visiting Kiribati. So when he found himself in Christchurch yesterday to see the earthquake emergency response, he squeezed time into his packed schedule to visit the Foundation in St Albans.

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Dr Shin Young-soo told Foundation General Manager Jill Tomlinson and Foundation board member Dr Graham Watson that WHO is making a big push towards reaching its “elimination” target of less than one case per 10,000 population by 2015.

Three Pacific countries—Kiribati, Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia—are still over that level. Leprosy is also still a problem in other Pacific countries including New Zealand.

“The Regional Director is giving the lead in this and it is the first time in many years that WHO has committed considerable resources to leprosy elimination. It is pleasing to get some recognition from WHO for the work we do,” says Ms Tomlinson.

The Foundation does not receive any Government funding but instead relies on public donations and bequests. Its work includes elimination of leprosy in the Pacific and New Zealand as well as the rehabilitation and welfare of former leprosy sufferers.

For more information visit www.leprosy.org.nz

ENDS

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