Commissioner & secretary Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Y.Kikheto Sema informed that at present Nagaland has 31 active cases of leprosy out of which 90 percent were from Dimapur and 80 percent of which were from non-Naga migrant workers.
A DIPR report informed that Kihekto said this while addressing review meeting-cum-training progamme of National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) for Northeastern states held at Hotel De Oriental, Kohima on May 29.
However, the commissioner and secretary said that India was making progress and new leprosy cases were declining every year and the country has set target to become leprosy free by 2027 three years ahead of SDG.
Kikheto further said that government alone cannot achieve the targets and needed the support and coordination of all the stakeholders.
Principal advisor (NCDC), MoHFW government of India, Dr. Anil Kumar, who was the guest of honour, appreciated the hard work of all the workers under the NLEP and presented the current updated data of leprosy cases around the world. He expressed concern on having 80 percent of the world leprosy cases in India but was confident that with new initiatives being undertaken the numbers would drop in the coming years.
Short speeches were also delivered by ILEP India Co-ordinator (GLRA India) Dr. Srilekha Penna, National Professional Officer (leprosy), WHO India, Dr.Rashmi Shukla and Deputy Director General (leprosy), Central Leprosy Division, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, government of India Dr. Sudarsan Mandal.
Earlier, CMO (NFSG), Central Leprosy Division, Dr. Lily Gangmei, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the aims and objectives of the review meeting and mentioned that the training would cover subjects such as National Strategic Plan (NSP), Roadmap for Leprosy 2023-27 and Nikusth 2.0.
The two-day NLEP North Eastern States regional review meeting cum training programme will be attended by doctors and representatives of the NLEP from all the North Eastern States.
Nagaland has 31 active leprosy cases
