Dr. Rosmini Day: June 1999 – Feb 2002
In 1998 Indonesia was plunged into an economic crisis. This period was very difficult and later caused Indonesia’s falling into further uncertainties. The change of President and Cabinet affect the policy of the control of leprosy. Inter-department staffs that were involved in the leprosy control program were replaced. The new staffs were deprived of ample information from the former staff regarding leprosy. During the term of President Abdul Rahman Wahid (Gus Dur) the Department of Social Affairs was closed. This badly affected the rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy. As a result there were no more inter-sector activities. At the same time the Government could not provide enough funds. Luckily international NGOs such as NLR, TLMI and WHO came for rescue.
Dr Rosmini continued MDT implementation based on the plans and strategies set up before and followed the WHO recommendations such as to continue acceleration of elimination through LEC, SAPEL, and LEM. The treatment of MB cases was shortened from 24 to 12 months.
The goal of leprosy elimination was achieved in the July 2000 at National Level. But still about 19,000 new cases per year. were found steadily.
In 1998 Indonesia was plunged into an economic crisis. This period was very difficult and later caused Indonesia’s falling into further uncertainties. The change of President and Cabinet affect the policy of the control of leprosy. Inter-department staffs that were involved in the leprosy control program were replaced. The new staffs were deprived of ample information from the former staff regarding leprosy. During the term of President Abdul Rahman Wahid (Gus Dur) the Department of Social Affairs was closed. This badly affected the rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy. As a result there were no more inter-sector activities. At the same time the Government could not provide enough funds. Luckily international NGOs such as NLR, TLMI and WHO came for rescue.
Dr Rosmini continued MDT implementation based on the plans and strategies set up before and followed the WHO recommendations such as to continue acceleration of elimination through LEC, SAPEL, and LEM. The treatment of MB cases was shortened from 24 to 12 months.
The goal of leprosy elimination was achieved in the July 2000 at National Level. But still about 19,000 new cases per year. were found steadily.
