Our Correspondent
Tezpur: The Sonitpur District Health Department launched a leprosy case detection campaign, which will run from December 12 to December 26. The campaign was inaugurated on Thursday at the Joint Director of Health Services office in Tezpur by Dr. Rupak Kumar Baruah, Joint Director of Health Services, in the presence of Dr. Tek Bahadur Chetri, Zonal Leprosy Officer, Sonitpur; Dr. Achyut Hazarika, Sub-divisional Health Officer; Dr. Hiranjan Saikia, District TB Officer; and others.
During the event, Dr. Baruah highlighted the importance of leprosy case detection and provided insights into its symptoms, which include painless, flat, white, copper-coloured, or reddish skin patches, patches with reduced or no sensation, tingling, numbness, or dryness in hands and feet, non-healing ulcers on hands and feet, weakness or deformity in hands and feet, difficulty fully closing the eyelids, small nodules on the skin, or lesions on the ears, face, or other parts of the body. It was noted that currently, 42 patients are receiving leprosy treatment in Sonitpur district, including 26 male and 16 female. Trained health workers and ASHA workers will conduct door-to-door visits to identify potential cases during the campaign. Dr. Baruah said that the teams will go door to door, do a checkup, and if a suspected patient is found, put him or her on treatment.
Dr. Chetri informed that individuals who refer suspected leprosy cases to government health centres will receive an incentive if the case is confirmed after medical examination. The incentive amounts are 250 for physically able patients and 200 for physically disabled patients. He also said that with the cooperation of Sonitpur residents, the department aims to ensure the campaign’s success and move closer to building a leprosy-free state. The inaugural event was also attended by key officials, Binay Das, District Programme Manager, and Durlabh Barman, District Media Expert, along with other health officials and staff. The campaign aligns with India’s national goal of eliminating leprosy by 2027. The District Health Department urged residents to report symptoms and seek medical attention promptly, emphasizing that early detection and treatment are key to eradicating the disease.
Also Watch: