Introduction

This has been an eventful year for the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association. We have not been tested by major natural catastrophes, but the fight against diseases, in which DAHW has been engaged for five decades, presents more challenges than ever. In the following pages we will reveal more.

Tuberculosis is gaining ground again. Our objective in 2007 is to make a significant contribution to treating this curable disease. Our tuberculosis projects in the slums of India are an exemplary model. Here, small health centres treat patients from the neighbourhood, ensuring that affected people receive their drugs regularly.

The gradual retreat of leprosy is a cause for cautious optimism. But we are far from being able to sound the all-clear. DAHW, its partners and the World Health Organization (WHO) agree knowledge of, and access to, diagnosis, treatment and – where necessary – rehabilitation must be ensured. We will be making our contribution in these areas in the future too.

“Neglected diseases”, particularly in the poorest regions of the world, confront us with new challenges. In the past year we have therefore extended our support to people who suffer from Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease or leishmaniasis. The existence of our leprosy and tuberculosis programmes in many places makes this possible.

During the year of our 50th anniversary we are planning to offer access to treatment, through our partner projects around the world, to approximately 100,000 new leprosy patients and about 400,000 TB patients, many of them HIV-positive. In a regional hospital in Togo we want to create better treatment opportunities for children with Buruli ulcer. We also want to support 100 patient self-help groups, particularly through training and micro-credits.

This help is made possible through donations, legacies and voluntary work. In the current Annual Report we give examples of our achievements over the past year.

Many thanks indeed for the trust you have placed in us. We ask you to continue supporting us in 2007!

Yours faithfully

Jürgen Hammelehle

Managing Director of the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (DAHW)