CHENNAI: The incidence of leprosy in the city has been steadily decreasing each year, thanks to awareness and early detection, said Deputy Director of Medical Services (Leprosy) Dr S Yogalakshmi. Substantiating her point, she said that from 360 new cases detected in 2010, the number has decreased to 310 in 2011.“To fully appreciate how far we have come, you must look back at the numbers during the time of Independence: 100 out of every 10,000 people in Tamil Nadu suffered from leprosy,” she added.Health Officer R Merlin said: “Many diseases have been eradicated thanks to vaccinations. but we are on the verge of eradicating a disease based on advanced treatment and awareness creation. This is something to be proud of.”Talking to City Express along the sidelines of an awareness rally about the disease, Dr Yogalakshmi said that many of the cases detected and treated here were not belonging to Chennai. “We have a huge floating population, and some people from outside the city carry the infection here,” she said. In view of this, regular screening camps were held in railway and bus stations to make people aware of the symptoms and the course of treatment for leprosy. Stalls were also put up at trade fairs, where two health inspectors were stationed to examine visitors.Several awareness campaigns were also held as part of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme. “We follow the Information Education Communication method. We teach them about the signs and symptoms, tell them that there is nothing to be alarmed about and show them how early detection, proper treatment and regular follow up has now made leprosy completely curable,” said Dr Yogalakshmi. She also mentioned that the stigma attached to the disease had increased as families have become more affluent. “This attitude has to change. Even among the lower-income groups, people are shunned if they happen to contract the disease,” she said. In 2011, children from 1,850 schools were examined. The number of new cases detected among children has also gone down from 35 in 2010 to 21 in 2011. At the Government Silver Jubilee Hospital in Saidapet, ulcers were treated; MCR chappals, crutches and splints were issued; and magnetotherapy, electrical stimulation and exercises were prescribed by a dedicated team. Close to 200 members of NSS from Chellamal Women’s College and NCC, RSP and Scouts from city schools took part in an awareness rally in Saidapet on Monday. It was flagged off by MLA G Senthamizhan.
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