NHR Brazil
NHR Brazil develops and supports activities to fight Hansen's disease transmission in Brazil’s five most endemic states. In self-care groups, we empower patients to treat their wounds, fight stigma, and generate new forms of income.
I see the hidden suffering among people affected by leprosy
Leprosy doctor Fabiana Amorim de Oliveira
With 12.4 new cases amongst every 100,000 inhabitants, in 2019 Brazil was the second-most Hansen’s disease-endemic country in the world amongst all major nations. In this light, NHR Brazil has supported public Hansen’s disease control programmes since 1994. In the last three years, 58 projects were supported and developed in 10 of the 26 Brazilian states, focusing on areas and clusters with high rates of patient cases. More than 52,000 people were reached by the interventions, including people affected by Hansen’s disease, their families, communities and health professionals.
In recent years, we built partnerships with public universities, social movements, and organisations of people affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases and of persons with disabilities. We help promote the Brazilian Social Forum for Infectious and Neglected Diseases, joining efforts to advocate for public policies and claim improvements in public health programmes and services. Brazil also is one of three countries to implement the project “Stop the Transmission of Leprosy” (PEP++), providing preventive treatment to close contacts of new Hansen’s disease cases.
What have we achieved in Brazil?
Our results of last year
431
New patients diagnosed and treated
853
People received SDR-PEP
40
Persons affected by leprosy with improved socio-economic situation
1,245
Health staff trained on leprosy, prevention of disablities and stigma
Stop the transmission of Leprosy!
With PEP++, NLR leverages an innovative approach to interrupt the transmission of Hansen’s disease. Find out how we’re moving closer to zero Hansen’s disease every day.
Fighting stigma and social exclusion
Beyond the physical effects of Hansen’s disease, patients experience prejudice that separates them from society. Find out how we fight stigma and social exclusion.
