A one-day orientation programme of National Leprosy Elimination Program (NLEP) staff under Tseminyu and Kohima districts was held on March 27 at Conference Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare.
A press release by IEC Bureau, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, informed that Mission Director NHM, Dr. Akuo Sorhie, in her exhortation said that such orientation programmes of NLEP was long overdue as it promotes fresh insights.
She informed that Leprosy was one of the oldest diseases in mankind which was often overlooked and left untreated because of stigma and discrimination, but leprosy was curable with proper care and with introduction of multi drug therapy.
She mentioned that Nagaland was the first State in India to reach elimination target of Leprosy in 1998 but the battle was not over, mentioning that there had been emerging cases of residual cases, and said that State should work more diligently and actively.
She emphasized that the department and specially Leprosy staff should work meticulously and co-operate with one another in view of National Strategic Plan (NSP) & Roadmap for leprosy 2023-2027 which aims for eradication of Leprosy in India by 2027.
In technical session, the programme included Basics of NLEP, Roles/Responsibility (NLEP Staff), Slit Skin Smear (SSS) Laboratory Diagnosis, Contact Tracing/Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
The inaugural session was chaired by SLO, Dr. Ruokuohelie Rutsa, while PMW, Magdaline, invoked prayers, and vote of thanks delivered by Sr. Health Educator, Visheli Chishi.