Health Department's Leprosy Wing has accelerated dependence on ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) volunteers to identify unreported cases in the district.
There is one ASHA volunteer for every 1,000 population. The volunteers have been trained to identify patches on skins. Based on the recommendations, skin-care camps are conducted for immediate medical care throughout the 14 blocks. The last such camp as conducted at Maakampalayam on Kadambur hills two weeks back, official sources said. Medical health staff examine the skin patches at such camps and categorise them under vitiligo, allergy, psoriasis, and leprosy for appropriate treatment.
Against the leprosy prevalence rate of one per 10,000 population at the national level, In Erode district, it is only 0.58. The Department is hopeful about bringing down the prevalence rate further by addressing the challenge of monitoring the affliction rate and sustaining treatment of affected people.
ASHA volunteers have been making their presence felt in highly-endemic blocks where the prevalence rate is close to one per 10,000 population.
Additional focus is accorded in the hilly parts of the district, since the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae thrives well in cooler climes. Many migrate to the plains for work, and the survey has to be timed when the residents are at home.
The door-to-door survey is carried out at least thrice a year by ASHA volunteers and medical camps are conducted as many times, Deputy Director of Health (Leprosy) Ramamani said.
The disease is not infectious and in very many cases, the patient gets to know of it only at an advanced stage. ASHA volunteers advise them to report immediately at the Primary Health Centres in the event of not feeling pain or sensation on the part of the skin with patches.
While the bacteria could be destroyed, the deformity remains in those who had suffered from the disease at an advanced stage.
Deformity
The deformity is caused since the bacteria affects the peripheral nerves as well as causing the fingers to fold.
Leprosy awareness has been integrated into school health program, and the people are being encouraged to report the problem without inhibition since the disease could be cured entirely if treatment is started at an early stage, Dr. Ramamani said. In fact, the first dose medicine will contain the infection to the extent of 99 per cent, she said.
For those with deformity, reconstrucive surgery is conducted free of cost and Rs. 8,000 is provided as incentive for one month of recuperation period. During this year, four such patients underwent reconstruction surgery.
Likewise, each of the 376 identified patients has been provided with two pairs of footwear made of micro-cellular rubber, to protect their feet from heat, and wound caused by thorns. Since the sensation is lost, the patients will be oblivious of the wounds.
The footwear will safeguard them from injury, Dr. Ramamani said. Similarly, self-care kits are provided to protect hands from heat.
In the event of the deformity causing disability beyond 40 per cent, monthly assistance of Rs. 1,000 is being provided.
It is not infectious and, in many cases, the patient gets to know of it only at an advanced stage
