Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan today inaugurated a two week long Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign here at District Hospital.The programme organized by the District Health Society Kargil will include the training and awareness of the field functionaries besides district wide conduct of survey for detection of leprosy cases. The CEC while stressing for proper and effective implementation of the programme in the district, asked the concerned to generate timely and proper awareness thus ensuring the diagnosis and complete treatment of leprosy cases which he said would be significant for eradication of the disease.Khan also stressed on the need to encourage community participation during the campaign so as to reduce social stigma and discrimination against leprosy patients.The programme, scheduled to continue till February 13, will focus on awareness, health information, camps for detection and combating stigma and discrimination.Earlier Chief Medical Officer Kargil Dr Ibrahim Khan briefed about the activities underway in the district for awareness about Leprosy in the district. He said that if there is an early detection of this disease, the patient can be cured and can lead a normal life afterwards. He said that treatment for the disease is free of cost throughout the country.The CMO also informed that Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) is available free of cost at all government hospitals of the district.
The CMO also highlighted the role of doctors and field functionaries in the awareness and timely diagnosis and treatment of the patients suffering from the disease in the district. He also urged upon all stake holders including general public to spread the awareness regarding the precautions and remedies to fully eradicate the disease.Among others who were present on the occasion included In charge Medical Superintendent Kargil Dr Ghulam Muhammad, Dermatologist District Hospital Kargil Dr Sajjad Hussain, Community Health Officer Kargil Syed Muhammad Shah, Medical Assistants, Ashas, other field functionaries and civil society members.Meanwhile an awareness programme on Leprosy under National Literacy Eradication Programme (NLEP) was held at the Training Hall of CMO Office Kargil where the field functionaries were enlightened about the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention of the disease, case detection, demonstration, survey, reporting and other related aspects.