Timely treatment can cure leprosy, claim experts

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 27

Early detection of leprosy is the key to its elimination. According to experts, early consultation and timely treatment can cure leprosy, a communicable disease caused by bacteria that affect the skin and nerves. Timely intervention prevents disability.

In Punjab, as on March 2018, there were total 497 leprosy cases, with prevalence rate (PR) of 0.16 per 10,000 population and Annual New Case Detection Rate (ANCDR) of 1.69 per million population. The disease is well within the range of elimination in the state. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), elimination means bringing the disease burden to a low level. The WHO has defined “elimination” in case of leprosy as a prevalence rate of less than one case per 10,000 inhabitants. In some states, the prevalence rate is above one per 10,000. In Bihar the PR is 1.18. In Chhattisgarh it is 2.25, while in Odisha it is 1.38.

According to the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) data, a total of 626 new cases were detected in Punjab in 2016-17. In industrial hub Ludhiana, 136 new cases were detected. In Jalandhar 81, Amritsar 62, Mohali 44 and Kapurthala 38 new cases were detected. The PR per 10,000 population was 0.27 in Ludhiana, 0.29 in Jalandhar, 0.23 in Amritsar, 0.37 in Mohali, 0.44 in Kapurthala. In all the districts of the state for which the data was tabulated, the prevalence rate was less than one case per 10,000 inhabitants.

The NLEP, a Centrally-sponsored Health Scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims at early detection and treatment of new cases of leprosy. While the NLEP strategies and plans are formulated at the Centre, the programme is implemented by the states and union territories. Last October, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare started a year-long campaign called Sparsh Leprosy Elimination Campaign (SLEC) that would culminate in October 2019 when the nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Major components of the campaign include leprosy case detection campaign in districts with high incidence of grade 2 disabilities due to leprosy and Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) where gram sabhas are organised to spread awareness regarding leprosy signs, symptoms and treatment.