Sircilla: Free treatment for leprosy patients in Telangana State govt hospitals

Sircilla: Free medical services will be provided to the patients suffering from leprosy in all the government hospitals, informed District Collector Krishna Bhaskar.

He inaugurated Anti-Leprosy rally organised by District Medical and Health Department on World Leprosy Day, which will be observed on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30.

Collector Krishna Bhaskar said that leprosy is a common disease, which is caused by bacteria. The disease first affects skin and then the nerves. Anyone can be affected with this disease, but it is not a hereditary. By taking various types of treatments, the disease can be prevented within six to 12 months. By spreading awareness among the people and about the symptoms of the diseases and giving medical treatment on time, the district can be transformed into a leprosy-free district, he suggested.

The Collector asked the people to identify the disease at an early stage and must approach the government hospital immediately. If the tests come as a positive, then they should take treatment free of cost in the hospitals along with medicines. It is the responsibility of the staff of the government to look after the leprosy patients with full of commitment and dedication until they are cured with the disease, he ordered.

District Medical and Health Officer Dr Chandrashekar said that from January 30 to February 13 awareness programmes about leprosy disease will be conducted in several mandals present across the district under the title 'Sparsha'. It takes three years of time to identify the symptoms of the disease after it is affects a person.

The DMHO also said that white or light pink spots will appear on the skin first and will spread to eyebrows. Hair fall, development of tumours on ears, chest and face tuning oily and losing of sensation on hands and legs

along with swelling, thumb finger becoming thin first and pain in muscles are some of the characters of the leprosy disease by which people can identify it at early stages.

The diseases can be treated with MDT system completely and it is available at all the Primary Health Centres in all mandals and is given free to the patients suffering from leprosy. Patients can be cured with in 6 to 12 months with this treatment.

Deputy DM&HO and leprosy programme officer Dr Sri Ramulu, Superintendent of Government Hospital Dr Muralidhar Rao, District Public Relation Officer Mamindla Dasharatham were present along with others.