Leprosy - Part 2

After reading yesterday's blog on Leprosy, Tariq had written,

"Anyone with just common sense can help tackle this disease." I didn't quite understand what you meant by this.

Is the cure cheap and easily available? And when we see lepers on the road side with multiple amputations do they still have the disease or would it have been cured?

I thought of replying to this comment in the blog itself, so that everyone can read. So, here it is ...

All Primary health centres are supposed to have the required medicines. If they do not have, at the District level, they will be surely available. If we inform them about a patient, they will come to the house and start treatment free of cost.

Depending on the kind of infection, the treatment can be either 6 months or 1 year. With the therapy, the disease can be completely cured.

But, once the nerves are completely affected and the fingers / wrists, toes are totally infected, then it cannot be repaired / brought back to the original stage. Costly procedures / reconstructive surgeries are, however, possible. NLEP can do only Treatment.

So, important thing is to see the symptoms and start treatment immediately at the early stage. It is communicable and there is no vaccine yet. (Like TB, this bacteria may also be in the air and all of us might have it. But, those without immunity only seem to get affected). Hence, early detection / prevention is the only way.

Since the key to this therapy is to early detection, everyone in the village / society can help tackle the disease. If we find white patches in the skin without sensation, then immediately refer them to the doctor for diagnosis. After confirmed by the doctor, the treatment involved taking tablets regularly, that is it. So, everyone can help control this disease.