Mangaluru, 31 Jan: Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Dr Selvamani R urged health officials to organize peoples’ sensitization programmes in villages, to stem out the blind beliefs on leprosy.
Dr Selvamani was speaking after inaugurating Leprosy Awareness Campaign – 2020 themed Last call against leprosy, held at RAPCP Hall of district Wenlock Hospital, here on Thursday, January 30. It was joint organized by DK district administration, ZP, health and family welfare department (leprosy division) and district Wenlock Hospital.
The peoples’ awareness programmes are necessary to shun blind belief prevailing among the people on leprosy that weakens organs. The people have deep-rooted blind belief that its hereditary and curse. The sensitization programmes in villages would clear the doubts among the people and boost their confidence on recent inventions in treating leprosy, said Dr Selvamani. She appealed the people in collaborating with the health department in creating leprosy-free society.
The designated district surgeon and medical superintendent Dr Jacinta said, ‘Despite the advancement in treating leprosy, we have failed completely failed in eradicating it. Meanwhile, the sensitizing the people on blind belief can effectively reverse the situation in creating leprosy-free society, she added.
The district health and family welfare officer Dr Ramachandra Rao, district Wenlock Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr Jagannat Kamat were felicitated during the programme.
District RCH Dr Rajesh, Wenlock Hospital dermatologist Dr Naveen Kumar, district leprosy control officer Dr Ratnakar, district health education officer Jyoti K and others were present.