Cachar District Health Society observes ‘World Leprosy Day’

January 30: World Leprosy Day, observed on the last Sunday of January, focuses on the target of zero cases of leprosy-related disabilities. The last Sunday of January being the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the day had an added significance in India. District Leprosy Cell functioning under the aegis of District Health Society, Cachar observed World Leprosy Day with a mission to spread awareness among the people regarding the myths prevalent among the people.

L. Madduri, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar has also sent a message wherein she has mentioned that disabilities due to leprosy do not occur overnight, but happen after a prolonged period of undiagnosed disease. Early detection is key to achieve this target, alongside scaling up interventions to prevent leprosy transmission.

Further, the District Leprosy Cell, Cachar has taken in hand a special Leprosy Awareness Campaign Fortnight from 30th January to 13th February. During this period, Gram Shabha and Awareness Campaign will be carried on throughout the district. Along with it, school awareness campaign and quiz on leprosy will also be held. Speaking to way2barak, officials of the District Leprosy Cell said, “Our district has about 50 to 60 new leprosy cases every year and out of these 5 to 8 gets disabled. It’s only because of late diagnosis and the late diagnosis is due to lack of awareness among the general public and lots of stigma and myth associated with it.”

Leprosy is a disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium Laprae. It causes damage to our nerves in extremities of our body and gives pale yellow or white patches on our skin which will have no sensation. It is easily curable with the MDT medicines which is available in all the government hospitals free of cost. Street dramas were also organised for spreading awareness about leprosy among the people. TThe main message of the street play was: ‘Early diagnosis and treatment is the only way to make our society Leprosy Free.’