Report Indicates Rise in Leprosy Cases in Rautahat District

Rautahat. Leprosy patients have been increasing in Rautahat recently. Information regarding the recent rise in leprosy patients in the district was provided on Monday during an orientation program organized here by 'The Leprosy Mission Nepal' in coordination with the District Health Office on the occasion of the 73rd World Leprosy Day.

During the orientation program held under the main theme 'Leprosy is Curable, Social Stigma and Discrimination are the Main Challenges,' resource person Rajkumar Sah from The Leprosy Mission Nepal stated that the number of leprosy patients has increased here recently compared to the past. According to him, 167 leprosy patients have been found in Rautahat from the fiscal year 2081/82 and since July of the current fiscal year. He informed that 32 new patients have been discovered since July alone.

Resource person Sah informed that the highest number of leprosy patients have appeared in Yamunamai Rural Municipality, Katahariya, and Madhavnarayan Municipality. “There are two types of leprosy patients. One type of patient needs to take medicine for six months, while the other type needs to take medicine for one year.”

Stating that treatment for leprosy patients is available at the municipal level health institutions, resource person Sah urged individuals who suspect they have the disease to visit the nearest health institution for medication, as there is no problem with treatment. Health Office Chief Rajesh Singh stated that leprosy can be completely cured with timely identification and regular medication. He emphasized the need to enhance awareness through public education as misconceptions and fear still persist in society regarding leprosy.