The LEprosy Alert Response Network & Surveillance System (LEARNS)
The DOH-Novartis Leprosy Task Force is working together to execute new strategy in the fight to interrupt transmission of leprosy in the Philippines. A key initiative of the Task Force is the LEprosy Alert Response Network & Surveillance System (LEARNS), the country's first mobile-phone based leprosy referral system. LEARNS enables healthcare practitioners to identify possible leprosy patients by simply sending a picture of the skin lesion and patient details through their mobile phone. The goal is to identify patients earlier in remote locations thereby interrupting transmission. The plan is to roll out LEARNS in other hyper-endemic provinces.
The Philippines eliminated leprosy as a public health concern when prevalence was reduced to less than one case per 10 000 people in 1998. However, approximately 1 000 new cases continue to be identified each year. Given the importance of keeping leprosy on the country's health agenda, continued commitment is essential in this last mile of disease control. The LEprosy Alert Response Network & Surveillance System (LEARNS) is an innovative and first mobile phone-based leprosy referral tool in the country which aims to improve communication and build capacity among remote healthcare providers and specialists to minimize the delay in diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. LEARNS is vital for a country like the Philippines given its geography and high mobile phone penetration. LEARNS enables health workers to refer possible leprosy cases by simply sending a picture of the skin lesion and patient details through their mobile phone. LEARNS requires a mobile phone with camera and SMS and MMS capability, but the system is able to receive text messages from older-model mobile phones with no camera.
Making an impact
Leprosy was eliminated as a public health problem in the Philippines in 1998 when its prevalence rate was reduced to less than 1 case per 10 000 population. However, according to the Department of Health, pockets of cases are still being identified in some municipalities. Untreated, leprosy can cause severe disfigurement and significant disability. Preventing disfigurement and disability from leprosy requires early detection and diagnosis. LEARNS is an innovative mobile health tool which aims to identify patients earlier in remote locations thereby interrupting transmission. It demonstrates support for the long-term global commitment against leprosy and the call for equal opportunity by ending the stigma and discrimination against persons with leprosy and their role in family, society, and economic development.