Leprosy drive identifies 3 positive cases in Koyambedu

A team of 200 urban primary health centre nurses, health inspectors, zonal officers and non-medical staff conducted the screening at the Koyambedu market. As part of the State Leprosy Eradication Programme, the healthcare personnel are carrying out an intensified screening programme for identifying the cases of leprosy among the workers.

The deputy Director of the Tamil Nadu Leprosy Eradication Programme Dr Dharma Lingam said that the State has recorded new cases of leprosy since the intensified screening programme launch.

“After the screening programme was started, more number of new cases are being identified. The intensified screening led to an increase in the total number of leprosy cases recorded in the State, but majority of them are new cases. We aim to eliminate leprosy even at block level to ensure zero deformities due to the disease,” said a senior official from the State health department.

The health department said that the State has recorded an increase in the prevalence of the leprosy cases by about 5 per cent, which is mainly due to intensified screening across the State at district and block level.

“We are also conducting screening for police personnel in police headquarters, police resident quarters and for MTC bus drivers and conductors as part of the drive. The team has also conducted screening at old age homes and orphanages. An exclusive team is screening students at government and private sector schools in all the zones across the city,” added Dr Dharma Lingam.