• According to Leprosy Control Division, 3,000 new leprosy cases are detected in the country annually

Kathmandu, January 19

The government has decided to deploy a team of health practitioners to four leprosy-affected districts of Kailali, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi.

The team comprising women health practitioners will visit each and every household in these four districts to identify leprosy patients. Patients with symptoms of the disease found during the visit will immediately be sent to health centres for diagnosis and treatment of the disease,” said Mohammad Saud, director, Leprosy Control Division, Teku. “Not only the patients suffering from leprosy but also those with skin diseases will benefit,” he added.

As per the division, 5,922 leprosy patients were recorded in the fiscal 2016/17. Of them, 3,040 patients have received treatment. Every year, 3,000 leprosy cases are detected in the country, as per the national data.

Though the country has declared leprosy eliminated as a public health problem in 2010, people still are suffering from the disease. From among the 22 leprosy affected districts in the country, 18 districts in the Tarai are the worst hit.

Although significant progress has been made in reducing the disease burden at national level, sustaining the achievement and further reducing the disease burden by delivering quality leprosy services still remain as major challenges. The division after completion of the search in these four districts will extend the programme in other affected districts.