Successful Experiences – Leprosy Truck Project – Bahia – 2025
1
Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance – DIVEP, Health Secretariat of the State of Bahia - SESAB, Salvador, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3187
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Leprosy is curable, causes stigma, has been associated with sin, and represents a major public health challenge in the country, which is second in the number of cases. Worldwide, 200,000 people are affected each year. Brazil, India, and Indonesia account for 80% of new cases. Because it is a neglected disease, it is frequently diagnosed late..1,2 In 2025, Bahia participated in the “Roda-Hans” project, carried out through a Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance (SVSA/MS) and Novartis, along with the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD). The objective was to train primary care professionals in the theory and practice early diagnosis, management, and timely treatment of leprosy, and to promote contact tracing.
METHODS:
This descriptive study was conducted using data from the Roda-Hans project, carried out in Bahia, Brazil, between July 4th and August 14th, 2025, in the Central-North and West macro-regions. Data related to training and diagnosed cases were analyzed.
RESULTS:
13 professionals participated in the project execution, in addition to the health teams from 55 municipalities. In the theoretical classes, 474 professionals were trained: 44.8% nurses, 25.9% doctors, 9.7% physiotherapists, and 19.6% other categories. In the practical classes, 310 professionals participated: 52.6% nurses, 32.3% doctors, and 15.1% physiotherapists. A total of 858 consultations were carried out, with 71 (8.8%) new cases. Of these, 2 (2.9%) were under 15 years old. 62% were multibacillary, and 40 (56.3%) were men. 314 (36.5%) were contacts, among them 16 (5.1%) confirmed diagnoses.
CONCLUSIONS:
Practical classes encourage the participation of local health teams, especially doctors, and patient care enhances learning and connects them to their health units. The mobility of the truck facilitates access to early diagnosis and immediate treatment. Active case finding and contact tracing are essential tools for early diagnosis and interruption of leprosy transmission.
Leprosy is curable, causes stigma, has been associated with sin, and represents a major public health challenge in the country, which is second in the number of cases. Worldwide, 200,000 people are affected each year. Brazil, India, and Indonesia account for 80% of new cases. Because it is a neglected disease, it is frequently diagnosed late..1,2 In 2025, Bahia participated in the “Roda-Hans” project, carried out through a Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Secretariat of Health and Environment Surveillance (SVSA/MS) and Novartis, along with the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD). The objective was to train primary care professionals in the theory and practice early diagnosis, management, and timely treatment of leprosy, and to promote contact tracing.
METHODS:
This descriptive study was conducted using data from the Roda-Hans project, carried out in Bahia, Brazil, between July 4th and August 14th, 2025, in the Central-North and West macro-regions. Data related to training and diagnosed cases were analyzed.
RESULTS:
13 professionals participated in the project execution, in addition to the health teams from 55 municipalities. In the theoretical classes, 474 professionals were trained: 44.8% nurses, 25.9% doctors, 9.7% physiotherapists, and 19.6% other categories. In the practical classes, 310 professionals participated: 52.6% nurses, 32.3% doctors, and 15.1% physiotherapists. A total of 858 consultations were carried out, with 71 (8.8%) new cases. Of these, 2 (2.9%) were under 15 years old. 62% were multibacillary, and 40 (56.3%) were men. 314 (36.5%) were contacts, among them 16 (5.1%) confirmed diagnoses.
CONCLUSIONS:
Practical classes encourage the participation of local health teams, especially doctors, and patient care enhances learning and connects them to their health units. The mobility of the truck facilitates access to early diagnosis and immediate treatment. Active case finding and contact tracing are essential tools for early diagnosis and interruption of leprosy transmission.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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