United for dignity: four strategic shifts to get to zero leprosy by 2030

[...]leprosy prevention should be scaled-up alongside integrated active case detection. [...]management of leprosy patients must include management of complications and prevention of new disabilities. Optimization of existing tools, such as for contact tracing, active case finding and post-exposure prophylaxis with single-dose rifampicin, and introduction of new diagnostic tests and preventive regimens can help us regain momentum in the reduction in new cases (3).

Promoting family practice-based model of care: the role of WHO's professional diploma in family medicine in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) through family practice-based model of care is an essential bedrock in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as called for in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, target 3.8. However, the shortage of family practitioners worldwide and in most countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is a daunting challenge. The current production rate of family physicians in the EMR is around 700 annually, against the needed estimate of 21 000 physicians per year based on one family physician/1300 population and the current EMR population growth rate, which reflects the huge shortage of family physicians in the Region.