Dimapur, September 15 : Lack of knowledge about issue, myth, and negative depiction and the stigma attached to leprosy—an ancient disease—are one of the most pressing struggles both for the public health sector and those afflicted by the disease, a health official has said on Thursday.
In Dimapur, a health campaign is being carried out taking into consideration the high prevalence of it, mostly because of the influx of migrants and that 90% of the cases detected are reportedly mostly from the migrant community.
Dr. Ahu Sekhose, state programme officer of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) said that cases of leprosy have been increasing in India. Talking to Eastern Mirror, Dr. Sekhose said ‘Nagaland is the first state in the country to have achieved the elimination target set by Government of India & World Health Organization (WHO) in year 1998’. An event called the leprosy case detection campaign (LCDC) is underway since September 5 in Dimapur. It is an intensive house-to-house survey to identify and detect leprosy cases. The campaign will continue till September 18. Those found with the disease will be treated for free under the NLEP, Dr. Sekhose said.
Since 2005, the official said, the number of cases of leprosy has been increasing in India and the stigma associated with leprosy is stopping people from ‘coming out.’ This is adding to the number of those affected, he said.
Earlier this year, 50 districts across the country were surveyed. 5, 000 new cases was detected, he said. Early detection is the key to treating the disease. This year, the campaign is being carried out in 20 states including Nagaland because of the high prevalence of the disease in Dimapur. According to sources, Dimapur district has been selected for the LCDC taking into consideration the high prevalence of the disease, mostly because of the influx of migrants and that 90% of the cases are reportedly mostly from migrants.
The campaign is being undertaken with the Dimapur Chief Medical Officer’s establishment in collaboration with district administration. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers are assisting in the work. They have been divided into 408 teams for a population of 3, 79, 763 which counts to about 78, 605 households in Dimapur district. Each block is being monitored by respective Medical Officers with separate male and female health workers for examination. According to Dr. Sekhose, the campaign was started on September 5. 105 suspect cases have been detected so far out of which four cases have been confirmed till date. The campaign will conclude on September 18.
Reiterating leprosy to be completely curable, Dr. Sekhose emphasised on early detection which he said will prevent disability. The entire treatment for leprosy is free in all government health centres, he said.
