‘reverse Integration’ in Leprosy: Lessons from Mkar, Nigeria

Integration of leprosy control into general health services (GHS) has gained much wider acceptance. Integration policies and efforts have usually been directed towards taking leprosy services to general health services. “Reverse integration” means bringing other health care services into existing leprosy services. This paper discusses the process of reverse integration in a missionary hospital in Nigeria with the attendant advantages. These include; accessibility of specialised services; affordability of specialised services; extended application of expert knowledge and skills; reduction in cost of training workers for leprosy work; integration of persons affected by leprosy; comprehensive health care for leprosy patients; additional sources of funds; effective utilisation of personnel and facilities; springboard for other programmes; and interest of government functionaries and philanthropists. Reverse integration will help to showcase the contribution of leprosy programmes to general health services.