'Early diagnosis can prevent infectious leprosy disease'

Health experts at a post-rally discussion stressed early diagnosis and full course treatment of the infectious leprosy disease for preventing lifelong neuropathy and disability.

They said this at the discussion arranged by the Civil Surgeon Office and the Leprosy Mission International-Bangladesh at Sadar Hospital auditorium in Rangpur in observance of the World Leprosy Day-2020 on Saturday.

Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr Amin Ahmmed Khan led the rally and attended the discussion as the chief guest with Civil Surgeon Dr Hirombo Kumar Roy in the chair.

Leprosy Medicine expert of the United Kingdom Dr Peter Ayatrop, Director of Leprosy Mission International-Bangladesh Suman Halder, its Programme Leader Surendra Nath Singh, among others, addressed.

The experts cussed the symptoms of the infectious disease of leprosy caused by Mycobacterium leprae involving the skin and peripheral nerves.

The infection is highly responsive to treatment and causes disabilities of the eyes, hands, and feet due to neuropathy those often not reversible and may require lifelong care and rehabilitation.

The Civil Surgeon put emphasis on early diagnosis of the disease and said that full course treatment of leprosy is critical for preventing lifelong neuropathy and disability.

“Even in the present time, leprosy still remains poorly understood and often feared by the general public and even by some in the healthcare professions, although it is not highly contagious and very effective treatment of the disease is now available,” he said.

The chief guest called for creating awareness among the common people to inspire them for early diagnosis and complete treatment to minimise the likelihood of various kinds of disabilities by preventing the infectious disease, reports BSS.