Several Northern Territory doctors and nurses have travelled to the town of Oe-cusse in East Timor to help screen the local population for leprosy.
The NT team attended a leprosy workshop sponsored by The Leprosy Mission International, World Health Organization and East Timor Ministry of Health and then assisted in community screening programs.
Centre for Disease Control Director Dr Vicki Krause has praised the efforts of the medical staff involved.
"It's a really large, well organised community based event that is showing results each day through population based screening of the district".
"The East Timorese Ministry of Health has provided four motorcycles to the Oe-cusse district to help with future screening and case management in this large, dispersed, hilly and very poor district.
"Along with our two doctors and three public health nurses, Queensland also contributed two public health nurses.
"The Northern Territory has between 1 and 4 new cases of leprosy each year and during this past year Queensland had their first case of leprosy in over five years. Staff in the Northern Territory need to be aware of leprosy and maintain their diagnostic skills. Both our teams are benefiting from this workshop," said Dr Krause.
"During the week of screening in East Timor four new cases and fourteen suspect cases of leprosy were identified in the district - including one at the school."
Media Enquiries: Cameron Jackson 0401 116 144
Release date: 21 November 2008
