Leprosy control strategies and the integration of health services: an international perspective

Integration of leprosy services into the general health services is regarded as the core strategy to ensure that leprosy control remains cost-effective and equitable, and, thus, sustainable in the coming years. In this article an extensive review is presented of the integration of leprosy services into the general health services. After the rationale of integration is discussed, the article highlights several recent developments within leprosy control and the health sector that are in support of the integration process. An overview is presented of recent experiences in countries that have already embarked on the integration process. Based on these experiences important lessons can be learned and incorporated into a model for the process of integration. This model, which is presented at the end of the article, will assist countries to successfully integrate leprosy services into the general health services.

Leprosy control strategies and the integration of health services: an international perspective

O artigo apresenta a integração entre os serviços de hanseníase e os serviços gerais de saúde como a estratégia central para garantir que o controle da hanseníase permaneça custo-eficaz e eqüitativo e, como conseqüência, sustentável ao longo dos próximos anos. Os autores apresentam uma revisão extensa sobre a integração dos serviços de hanseníase com os serviços gerais de saúde. Após uma discussão sobre a justificativa pela integração, o artigo destaca diversas inovações recentes no controle da hanseníase e no setor da saúde que ajudam a sustentar o processo de integração. Os autores apresentam um panorama sobre as experiências recentes em países que já iniciaram o processo de integração. Com base nessas experiências, lições importantes podem ser aprendidas e incorporadas a um modelo para o processo de integração. Tal modelo, que é apresentado no final do artigo, irá auxiliar os diversos países na integração dos serviços de hanseníase com os serviços gerais de saúde.

Leprosy control strategies and the integration of health services: an international perspective.

Integration of leprosy services into the general health services is regarded as the core strategy to ensure that leprosy control remains cost-effective and equitable, and, thus, sustainable in the coming years. In this article an extensive review is presented of the integration of leprosy services into the general health services. After the rationale of integration is discussed, the article highlights several recent developments within leprosy control and the health sector that are in support of the integration process. An overview is presented of recent experiences in countries that have already embarked on the integration process. Based on these experiences important lessons can be learned and incorporated into a model for the process of integration. This model, which is presented at the end of the article, will assist countries to successfully integrate leprosy services into the general health services.