ADDC B’pora launches Sparsh Leprosy Eradication campaign

The Health department Bandipora in collaboration with the District Administration Bandipora on Monday organised an awareness programme to inaugurate leprosy eradication campaign at mini secretariat, here.
The programme was presided over and inaugurated by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Bandipora, Ali Afsar Khan and was attended by VC District Development Council Bandipora, DDC Members, CMO Bandipora Dr. Bashir Ahmad, Doctors, paramedics, PRIs, Asha Workers and other concerned.
Speaking on the occasion, the ADDC appreciated the efforts of the Health Department in the leprosy eradication campaign. He said during the two week long awareness campaign awareness camps shall be held in all panchayats.
He instructed the CMO to ensure involvement of PRI representatives in such programmes for maximum benefit of the general public. He also asked the concerned from Health Department to make this awareness programme part of Block diwas and Gram Sabhas besides providing awareness on all platforms.
The ADDC also administered a pledge to the participants with the theme “Let’s fight Leprosy and make Leprosy a history”.
VC District Development Council, Kousar Shafeeq in her speech urged participants to spread the message of leprosy eradication programme in every corner of the district
CMO Bandipora, Dr. Bashir Ahmad in his speech said there was stigma in the past for Leprosy disease and the patients were isolated until researchers identified the mode of transmission. He informed that in Bandipora at present only one case is under treatment.
He urged the participants to know the strategy to control Leprosy and also threw light on NLEP. He said that highly effective treatment is available to cure leprosy adding that early detection and timely treatment and dosage are essential to eradicate leprosy.
Dr. Sartaj Ali attended the programme through virtual mode and gave an overview on LEPROSY, its prevention and management under National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).
Dr Imtiyaz through virtual mode gave a brief on cause, diagnosis and classification, transmission and treatment of Leprosy.
On the occasion, free medicines, blankets and shoes were also distributed among leprosy affected patients.