Answering the rehabilitation needs of leprosy-affected persons in integrated setting through primary health care services and community-based rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT

This article aims to discuss the strategies for answering the rehabilitation needs of persons with leprosy-related disabilities in integrated settings through primary health care (PHC) services and community-based rehabilitation (CBR). While the provision of rehabilitation services through the PHC system remains problematic in most developing countries, the article concludes that CBR programmes have the potential for rehabilitation of leprosy-affected persons in integrated settings. However, the limited coverage of CBR programmes may pose an obstacle to such an approach. The author suggests the use of existing specific rehabilitation infrastructures meant only for leprosy-affected persons for initiating, sustaining and extending the CBR coverage to the surrounding communities. At the same time, the author asks for support and strengthening of organizations of leprosy-affected persons, promoting their active involvement in all rehabilitation processes.