NEWS ON SLAC/2023 fortnight on 08/02/2023 National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)
Rongili Barta- 08/02/2023, a skin disease screening camp along with awareness meeting was organized by District Leprosy Cell, Kamrup (M) in collaboration with State Leprosy Cell, as an activity of Sparsh Leprosy Awareness campaign(SLAC 2023) fortnight at Baruahbari school of Ural Village under Sonapur BPHC. The skin screening camp was inaugurated by Zonal Leprosy Officer (ZLO), Dr. Runu Bala Das. In this camp about 100 people were screened for skin disease and no case suspect of leprosy was detected. Free treatment were given to the patients with other skin diseases. An awareness meeting was held at the beginning of the camp where the teachers, students and local people were present along with the staffs of the nearby Anganbadi Centre. From Health Dept. the attending doctors and NMA(Leprosy) emphasized regarding awareness about leprosy in the community. The theme of this year’s Anti- Leprosy Day on 30th Jan, the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi is “Let us fight Leprosy and make Leprosy a history”. With these theme GOI has set goal of achieving Leprosy free India by 2030. Leprosy cases remain hidden in the community as it takes many years to present with signs and symptoms. The earliest signs and symptoms of the disease may be skin patches with loss of sensation. If not diagnosed early and treated, then Leprosy may lead to physical disability and irreversible deformity. Free of cost treatment is available in the form of MDT(Multi Drug Treatment) in all Govt. Hospitals. People hesitate to come forward for checkup as there are stigma and discrimination regarding Leprosy patients in the community. However, with continued services of NLEP programme of GOI leprosy cases are decreasing to a significant low. During this fortnight various activities such as group meetings, quiz contest, street drama, rallys, awareness meetings in schools and other instituitions are being organized with participation of people both at rural and urban areas to generate more awareness about Leprosy.