The Nigerian Association of Dermatologists has raised alarm over a persistent shortage of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy patients across Nigeria.
The association said the shortage has lasted for more than two years, depriving patients of life‑saving treatment and risking disease progression and transmission.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious condition caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends MDT as the standard curative treatment, which has proven effective in curing leprosy and preventing nerve damage and disability when administered early.
Nigeria continues to register new leprosy cases annually, with thousands of diagnoses each year and ongoing efforts to control the disease under public health programmes.
However, health system challenges, including drug supply issues and reduced clinical capacity in some areas, have slowed progress towards sustained elimination.
Professor Dasetima Altraide, president of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, said the shortage of MDT medicines has persisted for over two years. He made the remarks in a statement in Abuja to mark World Leprosy Day 2026.
Altraide attributed the disruption to regulatory and administrative delays that stalled the clearance and distribution of donated MDT drugs.
He said the absence of required Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis certificates hindered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from completing quality checks and releasing the medicines for patient use.
“Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is fully curable with WHO‑recommended MDT, but regulatory and administrative delays stalled clearance and distribution of donated drugs,” he said. “Where treatment is unavailable, cure is impossible.”
Altraide warned that untreated leprosy can lead to nerve damage, deformities and continued transmission within affected communities. He urged urgent intervention and collaboration among government agencies to release MDT supplies and restore access nationwide.
He highlighted that essential medicines remain a public health duty and a human rights issue, citing findings from a 17‑year leprosy study in Lagos State.
The shortage of MDT drugs poses significant risks to Nigeria’s efforts to control leprosy. Without consistent access to effective therapy, patients may experience severe complications, including disability.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent permanent nerve damage and interrupt disease transmission.
Persistent shortages could also undermine public confidence in health services and hamper surveillance and treatment programmes, particularly in areas with higher case burdens. Strengthening regulatory processes and ensuring timely release of medicines are critical to maintaining progress against leprosy.
Dermatologists in Nigeria have sounded the alarm over a prolonged shortage of essential leprosy drugs. The Nigerian Association of Dermatologists called for swift regulatory action and inter‑agency cooperation to restore drug supplies and sustain nationwide access to effective treatment.
Continued shortages, health experts say, could reverse gains in disease control and worsen outcomes for affected Nigerians.
