Mumbai to hold leprosy camps from September 24

In order to eradicate leprosy, the Public Health Department will be organising a leprosy case detection campaign (LCDC) from September 24. In Mumbai, while all the wards will be covered, a major focus will be given to wards with major slum pockets.

The wards that include L ward (Kurla), KE ward (Andheri, Vile Parle), PN ward (Malad), N ward (Ghatkopar East) and S ward (Bhandup) has a maximum number of teams deployed for the campaign depending upon the population in these areas.

The municipal health workers along with college students will conduct a house-to-house survey in search of new leprosy cases in the city.

According to the officials, the aim of the campaign is to eradicate leprosy caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium leprae that affects the nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes of human beings.

Between 2008 to 2018, there has been a drastic decrease in the number of newly detected cases for leprosy. In 2008-2009 the number of cases in the city was 1135, while in 2017-18 the number of newly detected cases was 432. From April till August 2018, the number decreased to 195.

Speaking about the cases, Dr Padmaja Keskar, chief executive health officer from BMC, said, "The trend is declining every year. The number of cases in the city is 0.22 per 10,000 population. We have 2996 volunteers who will do a door-to-door survey. The aim is to remove the stigma and make people realize that early detection and treatment may save them from physical disability and deformity."