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Best to wean away stigma quickly for success of anti-leprosy programme.
- Dr. Rajesh Chauhan, Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Dr. Parul Kushwah, Dr. Manya Kushwah, Dr. Madhur Chauhan, Prabhat Singh, Shruti Chauhan. (18 May 2005)
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Clarifications : "Doctors accuse India of massaging leprosy figures"
- Dr.Cornelius Walter (18 May 2005)
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Dr. Rajesh Chauhan, Consutant, Family Medicine & Communicable Diseases 309/9 A.V. Colony, Sikandra, AGRA -282007. INDIA, Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Dr. Parul Kushwah, Dr. Manya Kushwah, Dr. Madhur Chauhan, Prabhat Singh, Shruti Chauhan.
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Dear Editor, Stigma against leprosy still prevails in the masses. Most of the persons connected and concerned with the national leprosy eradication programme would know that the Government is trying to do its utmost. Our question is why a patient’s name must still be kept in Leprosy ‘dossier’ once the patient has become negative for AFB. It is another matter that dedicated treatment ought and must be continued till all lesions have healed thoroughly and complications totally resolved. Imagine how much relief a patient would be getting once the name is removed from this stigmatized ‘dossier’. Further, visualize the level of encouragement for other so called ‘non-discovered leprosy cases’. They might see a chance to come out of self imposed hiding and seek appropriate care. Striking off a name from the ‘dossier’ in a reasonably short time can be a very good advertisement for the fence sitters, as it could convey the message of likewise rapid and sure end to their woes and stigma. With regards. Dr. Rajesh Chauhan
Competing interests: None declared |
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Dr.Cornelius Walter, Director for South Asia The Leprosy Mission, New Delhi 110001
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Having seen the news write-up titled “Doctors accuse India of massaging leprosy figures”, I appreciate the overall presentation of Mr Ganapati Mudur, however I would like to clarify that members of the panel of discussions held at the Press Club of India on 6th May 2005 did not in any way accuse the authorities of the Indian state. The title “Doctors accuse India of massaging leprosy figures” is the words of the author and in no way reflects the proceedings of the Press Conference, where Dr. J P Muliyil and the undersigned participated along with others. The thrust of the presentation was to bring to attention to the community at large in India through the Media that leprosy as a disease and its consequences like deformities have been controlled significantly, however the new cases seen along with complications like visible deformity as well as highly deficient socio-economic rehabilitation should continue to cause concern to the people as well as the concerned authorities. I have been quoted “Leprosy will remain a public health problem even after the prevalence rate drops to one per 10,000”. I would like to point out that this is not a correct version of what was said. What I said was that using the present definition of elimination of leprosy as prevalence being less than one per 10,000, it will mean with our present population of over 110 Crores, we will continue to have over 1 lakh patients a year. Will they not be an issue of public health concern? Competing interests: None declared |
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