The SPARASH LEPROSY AWARENESS campaign titled “HAATH MILAAYEN KUSHTH MITAAYEN” today began in the district under the supervision of District Development Commissioner, Tariq Ahmad Zargar.Among others present in the meeting were Chief Medical Officer, Chief Education Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, District Health officer, District Information officer, District Tuberculosis Officer, Manager (NHM) besides Block Medical Officers from Mandhi, Mendhar and Surankote.DDC directed the officers to display banners in all health institution and educational institutions besides pamphlets containing detailed information on leprosy for the general public and school children. He asked for framing committees in this regard besides issuance of calendar of activities to be carried out at subdivision level and block level for awareness of the people.CMO elaborated in detail about the aim of the awareness campaign saying that the initiative would sensitize the community about the signs and symptoms of the disease besides creating awareness about the complications associated with delay in treatment. It will also inform the locals regarding free of cost availability of curative medicines for the disease in government hospitals.He also informed that various steps are being taken up at ground level to remove social stigma attached with leprosy patients. He said that our current focus would be to prevent deformities and reduce the disease burden by early detection of leprosy and early starting of MDT.