The Leprosy Mission New Zealand has been working closely with TLM Papua New Guinea in reducing the medical, social and economic burden of leprosy in PNG.
Papua New Guinea is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, with 40 percent of the population living below the poverty line.
The country also records around 500 diagnosed cases of leprosy a year and thousands more go undiagnosed. Unfortunately, many persons affected by leprosy in PNG are also living below the poverty line.
The Leprosy Mission’s involvement in Papua New Guinea began in the mid-1960s. The emphasis of our work evolved from a purely medical, hospital-based perspective to a new focus of training health staff in leprosy health awareness and setting up field control programs.
The Leprosy Mission New Zealand has been working closely with TLM Papua New Guinea to reduce the medical, social and economic burden of leprosy in PNG. We have provided medical treatment to people affected by leprosy and helped improve the detection and management of new cases which helps to limit the spread of the disease.