SLO wishes state leads in leprosy eradication
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 07 2025: State leprosy officer (SLO) Dr Salam Bocha, who is also the state nodal officer of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), has urged the people to unite in making the state the first in the country to eradicate leprosy.

Speaking at a one-day media sensitisation programme on leprosy organised by State Health Society, National Health Mission, and State Leprosy Unit under the NLEP on Tuesday at the Lamphelpat office of Medical Directorate, Dr Bocha emphasised the need to combat the stigma associated with the disease while pointing out that leprosy, one of humanity's oldest diseases, is no longer a serious public health issue in the country even if total elimination is yet to be achieved.

SLO wishes state leads in leprosy eradication

He recalled that Manipur achieved a major milestone in 2001 by reducing the incidence of leprosy to just one case per 10,000 people, a feat matched nationally only in 2005.However, the state continues to report active cases, underscoring the importance of early detection and treatment.

According to Dr Bocha, leprosy is curable through treatment and is not to be feared.

"It is caused by bacteria and is not linked to immoral behaviour or activities, so there is no justification for stigma," he reasoned, adding that, nevertheless, early reporting is critical, as hiding the condition can lead to severe complications, including physical deformities.

He explained that leprosy has a long incubation period, with symptoms typically developing within five to seven years, though it can take up to 20 years in some cases.

Noting that even when exposed to the bacteria, 90 per cent of individuals may not develop symptoms, he, however, lamented that despite free treatment being provided by the government, some patients hide their condition, leading to continued active cases.

Since April 2024, the state has reported 11 new cases, taking the total number of active cases under treatment to 21.Active cases have been reported in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts, while Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Ukhrul, Jiribam, and Senapati districts have reported no active cases.

Noney and Tamenglong, which had zero cases for several years, recently reported one new case each, he noted.

Dr Bocha informed that no state has achieved total leprosy elimination yet.

He stated that Manipur, being a low-endemic area with some districts not reporting new cases in years, has the potential to lead the country in this effort.

The Government of India has set a target of achieving total elimination by 2027, he said and called for public cooperation to make Manipur the first state to achieve this goal.