Mysuru:
Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy has asserted that leprosy is a completely curable disease, while also cautioning that it is a contagious illness that can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing.
He stressed the need to create widespread public awareness to prevent disability, build a leprosy-free (Kushta-mukta) India, and eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease in society.
As part of this initiative, awareness programmes were organised in every Gram Panchayat under the Gram Panchayat–level campaign. The public was educated and administered the Pratigya (pledge) on Thursday, with instructions to transform each Gram Panchayat into a Kushta-mukta Panchayat through collective responsibility and vigilance.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Kumaraswamy P.C. said that door-to-door outreach programmes were conducted across all villages in the district to spread awareness about leprosy, identify symptoms early, and encourage people to seek timely treatment.
Activists and health workers visited villages to educate residents about leprosy, quickly identify suspected cases, and guide them towards immediate medical care. Officials appealed to the public to join hands in making the district leprosy-free by ensuring early detection and treatment.
District Leprosy Eradication Officer Dr. Brinda B. explained that leprosy is caused by a microorganism called Mycobacterium leprae, which primarily affects the skin and nerves. She noted that the disease spreads when infected persons cough or sneeze, releasing germs into the air. Common symptoms include ring-shaped or brownish-yellow patches on the skin, loss of sensation in hands or feet, and numbness. She emphasised that leprosy is fully curable, with free treatment available at government hospitals, and warned that negligence can lead to permanent disability.
Assistant Statistical Officers Anil Christi, Physiotherapist Dr. Shruthi R.T., Dr. Kavita, T. Puja, G.S. Sumanth, along with Health Inspectors G.S. Sumantha and Mahesh Kumar, were present during the programme.
