Under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Dimapur Kesonyu Yhome IAS, a meeting of the district coordination committee for Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC) for Dimapur district was held on August 30 in the conference hall of DC Dimapur.
According to DIPR report, CMO Dimapur Dr.Vikato informed that there were about 64 leprosy cases in Dimapur district. He further informed that the LCDC to be held from September 5 to 18 would show the number of leprosy cases. To carry out this campaign which was basically a house to house campaign, doctors, ASHAs in all the medical blocks has been sensitized on how to diagnose leprosy cases, CMO added.
State Leprosy officer Dr.Ahu Sekhose said that 163 districts covering 20 states in the country has been selected for conduct of LCDC and Dimapur district has been short listed in the state of Nagaland.
Dr.Ahu informed that although Nagaland happens to be the first state in the country to have achieved Leprosy eliminated state, however owing to the fact that there were a number of migrant population the prevalence rate of leprosy in Dimapur district was above the elimination status. He said that for this reason Dimapur district has been selected for conducting LCDC. He further said that LCDC was basically an intensive survey exercise for detecting hidden cases of leprosy. He was of the view that people do not come forward for voluntary check up of leprosy cases due to the stigma involved . Dr.Ahu said that leprosy was completely curable if detected within 6 to 12 months and informed the public that leprosy treatment was available free of cost in all the government health centres in Nagaland.
DC Dimapur Kesonyu assured to render all possible help from the district administration for successful conduct of LCDC. He also urged upon all the departments to take it as a social issue and to give in their best effort for the benefit of the public.