Scourge of leprosy ravages state
By Our Staff Reporter

Leprosy, a deforming disease continues to spread at a rapid pace
in Madhya Pradesh, with nearly 5000 new cases detected in the
current year, in addition to nearly double the number of existing
registered cases.

Despite efforts at various levels to check the scourge of the
disease, the mortality continues to be high in the state.
According to official figures, 318 persons had left or died during
treatment in the present year, up from 43, the last year.

Dr MK Joshi, director, medical services, government of MP, told
the Central Chronicle, the state is set to eliminate the disease
by 2005, but social activists working in leprosy eradication
programmes, are doubtful about the target being achieved.

The disease is caused by a bacterium mycobacterium leprae, which
affects nerves, skin and other organs gradually. The contagion
spreads through coughing and sneezing. Dr Joshi informed that
people with strong resistence are immune to the disease, even if
exposed to the bacterium. The disease appear as patches on the
skin and lead to swollen nerves and in some cases deformity.

Dr Joshi felt that the stigma surrounding the disease should be
removed as it was curable. 'The earlier the patient approaches for
a cure, the better chances of recovery he has,' says Joshi.

Dr Joshi informed that leprosy is cured by multi drug therapy,
which has been adopted in India as part of National Leprosy
Eradication Programme (NLEP) in 1982-83. MDT (using blister
calendar packs) was started in Madhya Pradesh in the year 19S7 in
district Rajnandgaon and Durg (now in Chhattisgarh state). Eleven
more High Prevalence Districts of Madhva Pradesh were covered with
MDT between 1989-1992, and the entire state of Madhya Pradesh was
brought under MDT by September 1995.

According to official information, the registered prevalence of
leprosy in the state was 43.4 per 10,000 population in 1987-88. It
was brought down to 1.5 per 10000 population at the end of March
2004. Current prevalence rate is l.3, and according to Dr Joshi,
efforts are on to bring it below 1. But the reduced figures for
Madhya Pradesh is mainly due to the fact that the state of
Chhattisgarh was carved out of the mother state and its figures
have now been deducted from the official figure. Dr Joshi said
various activities in the state had been conducted, which included
awareness campaigns. Dr Joshi informed that Skin Disease Diagnosis
Treatment and Education Camps (SDDTE Camps) were introduced in the
state in 1988-89 and have been extended in all districts.