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GUYANA has done exceptionally well in the reduction of leprosy cases over the years, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persuad says.
He highlighted in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle that “the World Health Organisation (WHO) describes elimination as less than one case in any 10,000 population, so we have roughly about 20 to 25 cases every year and that would give us a rate of about 0.6 for every 10,000.” Dr Persuad accredited this success to the vibrant medical team attached to the Leprosy Control Programme based at the Geriatric Ward (The Palms). According to the CMO, the Leprosy Control Programme currently aims to have a point of total elimination.
Leprosy is a communicable disease which causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms and legs. It is one of the oldest diseases recorded in the world.
Although there has been a major reduction in cases over the years, Dr Persuad said that the Health Ministry through the programme continues to work earnestly to clear up misconceptions as it relates to the disease. “It links to a droplet infection, that’s how it is transmitted, from droplets from the nostrils and not necessarily from touching the skin, and other ways that some people may think about.”
Removing the stigma
He said for 2013, the ministry will be intensifying awareness campaigns even within the medical arena to remove the stigma attached to the disease.
“We would really like, first of all to sensitize the health workers and secondly the population as a whole which still has stigma associated with leprosy and that can be one reason why people don’t want to come forward – they are fearful that if they are diagnosed with this disease, then they probably would not be accepted in their homes or society in general.”
World Leprosy Day is observed by billons across the world late January, early February every year. This date was chosen to commemorate the death of Mahatma Gandhi, a renowned Indian leader who had championed the cause to reduce the number of leprosy cases at the time, but most importantly to remove the stigma attached to the disease.
The chronic disease, which is also known as Hansen’s disease, is caused by a slow-growing type of bacteria known as mycobacterumleprae. It mainly affects the skin and the nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord, called the peripheral nerves. Disfiguring skin sores, lumps, or bumps that do not go away after several weeks or months are among the main symptoms associated with the disease.
He highlighted in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle that “the World Health Organisation (WHO) describes elimination as less than one case in any 10,000 population, so we have roughly about 20 to 25 cases every year and that would give us a rate of about 0.6 for every 10,000.” Dr Persuad accredited this success to the vibrant medical team attached to the Leprosy Control Programme based at the Geriatric Ward (The Palms). According to the CMO, the Leprosy Control Programme currently aims to have a point of total elimination.
Leprosy is a communicable disease which causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms and legs. It is one of the oldest diseases recorded in the world.
Although there has been a major reduction in cases over the years, Dr Persuad said that the Health Ministry through the programme continues to work earnestly to clear up misconceptions as it relates to the disease. “It links to a droplet infection, that’s how it is transmitted, from droplets from the nostrils and not necessarily from touching the skin, and other ways that some people may think about.”
Removing the stigma
He said for 2013, the ministry will be intensifying awareness campaigns even within the medical arena to remove the stigma attached to the disease.
“We would really like, first of all to sensitize the health workers and secondly the population as a whole which still has stigma associated with leprosy and that can be one reason why people don’t want to come forward – they are fearful that if they are diagnosed with this disease, then they probably would not be accepted in their homes or society in general.”
World Leprosy Day is observed by billons across the world late January, early February every year. This date was chosen to commemorate the death of Mahatma Gandhi, a renowned Indian leader who had championed the cause to reduce the number of leprosy cases at the time, but most importantly to remove the stigma attached to the disease.
The chronic disease, which is also known as Hansen’s disease, is caused by a slow-growing type of bacteria known as mycobacterumleprae. It mainly affects the skin and the nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord, called the peripheral nerves. Disfiguring skin sores, lumps, or bumps that do not go away after several weeks or months are among the main symptoms associated with the disease.
