The SPARASH LEPROSY AWARENESS campaign today commenced in the district with District Development Commissioner, Rohit Khajuria, inaugurating the event.The massive awareness campaign is being held from January 30 to February 13, 2019.Among others present were ADC, Ghanshyam Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ashok Choudhary, District Health Officer, Dr. Savita Wazir, para-medics and other officials and officers of medical department.DDC appreciated the efforts put forth by the medical department in controlling this disease throughout the district and directed the officers to create awareness in all health and educational institutions besides distributing pamphlets containing detailed information on leprosy among the public and school children.He asked for framing an action plan 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.Later, the DDC flagged off a rally which will sensitize and appeal people to reduce stigma regarding this disease and generate awareness among the masses. Earlier, a pledge was also administered by the DDC aimed to intensify leprosy detection campaign to curb the crippling disease.