RURAL CAMPAIGN TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT MUCOCUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN BOLIVIA

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is endemic in the tropical Amazonian lowlands of Bolivia, an area that regularly receives influxes of migr atory populations. In these new agricultural development areas, a camp aign to diagnose and treat the disease was carried out between 1989 an d 1992, in order to provide direct access to MCL treatment in the ende mic areas at a standard equivalent to that offered in the urban centre s in Bolivia. The campaign led to the creation of decentralized local centres for diagnosis and treatment of the disease. A campaign to info rm the population about leishmaniasis was also undertaken and courses were run to educate medical and paramedical personnel. As a result of the campaign, 3285 cases of leishmaniasis were diagnosed, including 21 52 cutaneous and 326 mucosal forms. Also, a total of 1888 cases were t reated, 1677 of which were cutaneous and 211, mucosal.