Kathmandu, February 17
Despite the government’s claim that leprosy had been eradicated in Nepal, a report states that around 3,000 people suffer from leprosy every year.
Unlike a few decades ago, the disease is now curable. However, if not treated on time it may or cause significant disfigurement, causing damages to skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.
A large section the rural population are still unaware of the diseases, a reason why a large number of people are still affected by the disease. Patients reach the medical facilities very late seeking treatment when the disease has already affected limbs and other organs leading to the vulnerability of mutilation.
The disease is caused by the bacteria named Mycobacterium leprae. Red or lesions on the skin and lack of sensation are early signs of early stage of leprosy.
The Lele-based Anandawan Hospital which provides the treatment for this bacterial infectious disease says the disease first attacks the nervous system. “We first treat the nervous system and then give the patient leprosy treatment,” shares leprosy specialist Dr Mahesh Shah.
The hospital statistics show that among the patients arriving in the hospital, some 10 percent do not manifest skin lesions.
