By; Charles Ndushabandi
The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) is urging the public to seek early diagnosis and treatment for leprosy as soon as symptoms appear. One of Rwanda’s nine neglected tropical diseases, leprosy primarily spreads through airborne transmission in public spaces.
Rwanda has a low prevalence of leprosy, with fewer than one case per 10,000 people, meeting the World Health Organization’s elimination target for 2030. The country currently reports 0.002 cases per 10,000 people, with 37 individuals living with the disease, according to the 2024 National Population Census.
Despite progress, new cases continue to emerge. Kizito Nshyimiyimana, a senior leprosy officer in RBC’s TB and Respiratory Diseases Division, stressed the importance of early screening and treatment.
“It is crucial to seek treatment in time. Leprosy causes skin and nerve damage, and without timely intervention, it can lead to permanent disability affecting limbs, eyes, and other body parts,” Nshyimiyimana said. In 2024 alone, 29 new cases and eight relapses were recorded.
Leprosy symptoms can take between five and 20 years to appear, manifesting as white skin lesions, muscle weakness, stiffness in body parts, loss of fingers or toes, enlarged nerves, and issues with the nose and eyes, he noted.
Nzangwa Health Centre in Rweru Sector, Bugesera District, houses a specialized leprosy treatment unit currently caring for five patients. Pierre Célestin Rukundo, a nurse at the center, emphasized the importance of early detection.
“When treatment starts on time, recovery becomes easier. The disease is contagious but not hereditary. Symptoms often start as skin spots and can progress to severe complications, including limb amputation,” he said.
Rukundo said leprosy is treated using a multidrug regimen, which, once started, significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
Ernest Bizimungu, a former leprosy patient, shared his experience of living with the disease unknowingly for four years before seeking treatment.
“Leprosy is dangerous because one can have it for years without realizing it. Once I started treatment, my recovery was quick, and I am now free of the disease,” he said, urging others to seek medical help at the first sign of symptoms.
Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, transmitted through nasal droplets from close and frequent contact with infected individuals. Despite global treatment advances, thousands of new cases are still reported annually, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Since the 1980s, nearly 16 million leprosy patients worldwide have received treatment, leading to its elimination in 108 of the 122 countries where it was once a public health concern.
In Rwanda, the Ministry of Health established the National Leprosy Control Service in 1984. Between 1977 and 1987, 564 new cases were registered, and by 1982, multidrug therapy was introduced for all new patients.
Leprosy cases in Rwanda have steadily declined. Between 2003 and 2014, 364 cases were identified. The following decade saw a 27% decrease, with 267 cases recorded from 2014 to 2023. Over the past five years, the country has averaged 27 new cases annually, with a detection rate of 0.25 per million people—a step toward elimination.
Although Rwanda has made significant progress in controlling leprosy, the disease remains a public health concern. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing complications and further transmission. Health officials continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms, reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment to eradicating the disease.
