11 November 2019 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy

The Partnership’s Mission to Morocco

In October the Partnership conducted its second country review of 2019 in Morocco. The review was requested by the Moroccan National Leprosy Programme, headed by Dr. Ibtissam Khoudri. The objective of the country review was to take stock of the programme’s current status and define key priorities for the future.

The team, led by Dr. Bart Vander Plaetse, conducted a participatory analysis of the National Leprosy Programme, recorded progress made by the programme, and identified gaps to be filled. Additionally, the team developed outlines for medium and long-term roadmaps to zero leprosy. Special attention was paid to the history of implementation of single-dose rifampicin chemoprophylaxis in Morocco, and the unique last-mile challenges faced by the country as they close in on elimination. One of the unique features of the National Leprosy Programme in Morocco is their complete database of all leprosy patients since 1950. The review team visited the Centre National de Léprologie (CNL) to view these valuable archives.

At the conclusion of the review the team was able to offer a set of recommendations on strategies for overcoming challenges, consolidating gains, and accelerating the achievement of zero leprosy. The team’s final report will be submitted to Moroccan leadership this month to allow them to use it in the creation of their new strategic plan.

Dr. Ibtissam Khoudri, who is also one of the leaders of the Operational Excellence Working Group, recently attended the PEP workshop in Amsterdam to share her insights and offer input for the last mile to zero leprosy.