Awareness key to eradicating leprosy

Kathmandu, February 1

There are more than 100,000 leprosy patients in the country. Sadly, people still see leprosy as a stigma and there is a woeful lack of healthcare available to those affected by this most devastating disease.

While leprosy is easily cured with a simple course of antibiotics, if left untreated, it causes irreversible disabilities including blindness.

Dipak Tiwari, president of Leprosy Affected Society, said being a leprosy patient he couldn’t openly share his problem with people. “I could not even share the cause of my disability due to fear of humiliation,” said Tiwari, adding, “Although the disease can be cured, most patients endure their suffering. It is lack of awareness that prevents them from seeking medical treatment.”

According to the data of Leprosy Control Division, about 2,559 leprosy patients are undergoing treatment in the country.

Deputy Director of the Department of Health Services and Chief of the Leprosy Control Division, Dr Basudev Pandey, said leprosy is a slowly progressing bacterial infection that affects the skin, peripheral nerves in the hands and feet, and mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and eyes.

Destruction of the nerve endings causes the affected areas to lose sensation. If not cured in time, it leads to irreversible disability.

Director General at the Department of Health Services Dr Rajendra Panta said creating awareness with the participation of the government and non-government organisations could play a vital role in eradicating leprosy.

As the disease develops slowly, there is uncertainty about the number of patients.

“We have set the goal of making our country leprosy-free by 2020,” he said at a programme organised to mark the 64th World Leprosy Day here today.

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