GPZL update – September 2019

GPZL has launched the Zero Leprosy Toolkit in September at ILC, and is in the process of updating its Action Framework.

The GPZL Leadership Team had a full day meeting on 9 September in Manila before the International Leprosy Congress. The major agenda item was a thorough review of the GPZL Action Framework, which describes the long-range strategy of GPZL. This needed revising, partly because of the achievements to date, partly because GPZL is no longer in its ‘early formation’ period, and partly to reflect the 2030 targets for leprosy in the WHO NTD Roadmap. Work is continuing on this, and it is likely to be followed by a more detailed strategy document.

GPZL also launched the Zero Leprosy Toolkit, a set of field-tested best practices designed to support countries in their work towards ending leprosy and its associated disabilities and stigma. This is one of the outcomes of many months of work from the Operational Excellence Working Group. GPZL’s September newsletter explains: “Some of these best practices are scientific evidence-based, while others are practice-based because of their valuable contribution they’ve made to programmes. The tools were collected and reviewed under leadership of the national leprosy programme managers and partners for their relevance for the larger leprosy community.” We recommend that all ILEP Members and implementing partners be familiar with this Toolkit.