Following 7.5 years of intensive research across Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Tanzania, the PEP4LEP & PEP4LEP 2.0 project officially concluded with an international dissemination meeting held in Addis Ababa.
The project was primarily designed to evaluate the most effective methods for administering a Single Dose of Rifampicin (SDR), a World Health Organization-approved preventative treatment to individuals at high risk of contracting leprosy. Beyond prevention, the study rigorously assessed the efficacy of integrating leprosy screenings with general skin disease examinations to improve early detection and healthcare delivery.
The high-level gathering brought together researchers and officials from the Ministries of Health of Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Tanzania, the NLR headquarters (the Netherlands), the country office in Mozambique, GLRA- HQ and country offices in Ethiopia and Tanzania, and international universities from consortium countries. PEP4LEP steering committee members also attended the meeting. In addition, representatives from TLMi-E, ENAPAL, WHO country offices (Mozambique and Tanzania), East Hararghe health office TBLLD program coordinator participated in the meeting. According to the data presented, a total of 35,718 community contacts were screened for skin diseases, including leprosy, by a dermatologist or trained personnel. Of these, 31,596 people successfully received the preventative SDR treatment. The integrated approach revealed that half of those screened were suffering from at least one type of skin disease and subsequently received appropriate medical care, while 670 new cases of leprosy were identified and linked to treatment.
Beyond clinical outcomes, the project prioritized long-term sustainability through extensive capacity-building training for healthcare workers, enhancing their expertise in managing both leprosy and broader dermatological conditions. The academic impact of the study has been substantial, with findings presented at numerous global research forums, and more than ten scientific papers were published in international journals. The study highlighted that these community-based screening campaigns were highly accepted by the public and played a crucial role in reducing the deep-seated stigma and discrimination often associated with the disease.
During her opening remarks, HE, Dr. Hiwot Solomon, Lead Executive Officer for Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that the study’s value extends far beyond mere identification. She noted that the findings provide a strategic roadmap for Ethiopia’s national goal of eradicating leprosy, offering practical directions for scaling up preventative interventions across the country.
Following the dissemination meeting, Prof. Afework Kassu delivered a presentation to the PEP4LEP (2.0) consortium members highlighting AHRI’s past and current achievements, including key areas of collaboration. The group also toured the AHRI laboratories.
In Ethiopia, this collaborative effort was spearheaded by NLR Netherlands, the German Leprosy and TB Relief Association (GLRA), the Ministry of Health, and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), with vital financial backing provided by EDCTP 2, LRI, Global EDCTP 3, and the European Union.