Collective efforts to eliminate leprosy underscored

RAJSHAHI, Jan 26 (BSS): Speakers at a press conference today said creating mass-awareness about sign and symptoms of leprosy and availability of its free treatment are very important to build a leprosy-free society.

To this end, synergic effort is needed so that all the leprosy cases are detected early as the disease is curable.  Moreover, treatment is free of cost in all upazila health complexes and other binary and tertiary hospitals.

Success of treatment is also significant in both multiple bacillary and posy bacillary cases, they added.

Rajshahi Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Project of Damien Foundation, Bangladesh organized the press conference at its office here ahead of the World Leprosy Day-2014 scheduled to be observed tomorrow (Sunday).

During his keynote presentation, Shafiqul Islam, Project Director of Damien Foundation, said leprosy mainly affects the skin and superficial segments of peripheral nerves but can affect any tissue except brain and spinal cord. However, it is not a hereditary disease.

Elaborating the major sign and symptoms of leprosy, he said late case diagnosis, little knowledge among community people, social stigma and limited mental health services are the challenges towards eradicating the disease.