Following the discovery of a case of leprosy on the island, health officials have informed the people that there is no reason to fear.
Dr Arthur Phillips, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, stated that the case is being handled.
“Right now, we have one case that is being treated, and they are coming to the end of their treatment, and they have another month or two to go.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that the last case of leprosy in Barbados was in 2022.
The revelation that one leprosy patient was currently being treated came in response to a request to clarify the country’s condition with the disease after St Lucia reported 11 new cases, marking a 120% increase from 2020 to 2023.
The island’s health authorities have already established a national plan to eradicate leprosy.
The rare disfiguring disease that was once a scourge of life in Barbados required victims to be quarantined in a purpose-built leper colony 100 years ago.
