This is the first time a campaign like this had been organized in the city.
A total of 19 leprosy cases has been identified amid the 14-day campaign that started on November 10. The programme had registered doctors and volunteers who went door-to-door in the National Capital to screen leprosy patients and now will be providing treatment to those affected by the disease. This is the first time a campaign like this had been organized in the city.
Of the 19, four cases are Multi-bacillary (MB) cases while rest are Paucibacillary (PB). PB is an initial stage and can be cured within six months. MB, on the other hand, is a serious condition which requires treatment for a year or 18 months. There are another 500 speculated cases. The total projection of the records will be shared by December 15, confirmed the department.
"From November 10 till the next 14 days, we surveyed Delhi homes to look for patients suffering from leprosy. Leprosy is not a dreadful disease and can be cured, but there is a lack of awareness in the people. Delhi sees over 25,000 new cases of leprosy every year, and there is a possibility that the numbers will go up if all come out to report their illness," said Dr KS Bhagotia, State Laparoscopy Officer, Delhi Health Services.
Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is a combination of drugs for MB and PB leprosy patients. MDT is provided free of cost to leprosy patients by the Health Department. A patient needs to take the drugs anywhere between 24 weeks and 24 months to get rid of the disease. The records of the patients determined during this campaign will be added to the health department record.
"It is difficult to maintain a record for leprosy patients as at least 30 per cent of the patients provide wrong address out of shame. This leads to missed follow-ups and thus a missed dosage," added Dr Bhagotia.
DETAILED LIST BY DECEMBER 15
- Of the 19, four cases are Multi-bacillary (MB) cases while rest are Paucibacillary (PB). PB is an initial stage and can be cured within six months
- MB, on the other hand, is a serious condition which requires treatment for a year or 18 months
- There are another 500 speculated cases. The total projection of the records will be shared by December 15
- Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is a combination of drugs for MB and PB leprosy patients.
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