M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, July 12: 31 new confirmed cases of leprosy have been recorded in Palamu till July 11.
The District Leprosy Officer Dr Anil Kumar Srivastav said, “We have identified and confirmed 31 new cases of leprosy in Palamu till July 11. This is the cumulative figure beginning July 1.”
Dr Srivastav said there are 24 confirmed cases of paucibacillary leprosy and 7 confirmed cases of multibacillary leprosy in Palamu taking the total to 31.
“Our 14-day leprosy case detection campaign was launched on July 1 and is to conclude on July 14. Only then we will have a concrete figure first of the suspected cases of leprosy and then only of the identified and confirmed cases of leprosy,” said the district leprosy officer.
“If we talk about the cumulative figure of the suspected cases of leprosy till July 11, then it is 745,” he added.
Sources said there are already 264 confirmed leprosy patients in Palamu who are undergoing treatment for months.
Now, with this addition of 31 cases of leprosy, the total count has reached 295 by July 11.
All eyes are now on the referral slips of the suspected cases of leprosy persons as to when and where they show up before the doctors for a final diagnosis of their suspicion of leprosy.
Dr Anil Kumar Srivastav made a passionate appeal to all the 745 suspected cases of leprosy persons to visit the nearest government health hubs for a diagnosis and to start their medication on getting confirmation of leprosy without even a day’s delay.
Dr Srivastav said there is no logic when a suspected case of leprosy person sits idle in his house, dilly-dallying his free consultation with the government doctor.
Once the leprosy case detection campaign ends on July 14, the Sahiyas will be again on a war footing duty to match who the referral slip person has not visited the government hospital like primary health centre or community health and what the findings are of the government doctor.
A Sahiya is to get Rs 250 if she successfully and properly assists a leprosy-ridden person to have his medicine for 6 months.
