Leprosy in Tamil Nadu well below national rate: Minister

Inaugurating an awareness campaign, on the occasion of Anti-Leprosy Day on the Tamil Nadu Open University campus, the minister said, “Multi-drug treatment for leprosy is being provided at Primary Health Centres, Medical College Hospitals for free. The disease can be cured only if it is treated within 6 to 12 months.” He also released a guide compiled by the Union Government, ‘Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign’. 

Awareness camps will be organised across the state beginning February 13. They will be organised for metro rail workers to detect leprosy among them. Activities will also be conducted in schools, housing boards and places of public gathering, a health department release said. 

The release also added that 3,184 people were cured of leprosy last year due to early intervention and 6,706 patients were given special footwear. 9,373 patients were provided a self-care kit, while 7,315 patients were given Rs 1,500 every month for treatment. 

Though Vellore district was once endemic to leprosy, there are only 650 leprosy cases now, collector SA Raman said, while participating in a leprosy awareness programme at The Voorhees College on Tuesday.

Of the above, 12 patients alone were taking treatment at government facilities while the others were being treated at home, he added. Total cure was possible in the disease if treatment which included multi drug therapy was started within a year, he said.

The collector later flagged off an awareness rally, in which paramedical students took part.