World Leprosy Day observed at DMCH

Ludhiana, January 30, 2022: World Leprosy Day is observed annually on 30th January. The main purpose of this is day is to raise awareness about the disease among general public as many people think that it does not exist more. This year theme for the day is ‘Unity for Dignity’
In his message Secretary DMCH Managing Society Prem Kumar said that, Department of Dermatology (Skin) at DMCH has state of the art facilities and provides the highest level of skin care facilities.
According to Dr Sunil Gupta, Professor and Head Department of Dermatology, Leprosy is an infection caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. These bacteria grow very slowly and it may take up to 20 years to develop signs of the infection. The disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose said Dr Gupta. Further Dr Gupta said that if this problem left untreated it can leads to paralysis of hands and feet, timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent the disease.
Dr Sukhjot Kaur, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology highlighted  sign and symptoms of Leprosy these are discolored patches of skin usually flat that may be numb and look faded, painless ulcers on  the soles of feet, numbness of affected areas of the skin, Painless swelling or lumps on the face or earlobes, Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. If any person having such kind of symptom he or she should consult the doctor.
Dr Jaspriya Sandhu, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology said that early diagnosis and timely management of the disease can prevent the leprosy. Leprosy did not pass from one person to another while shaking hand or hugging, sitting next to each other or sharing food said Dr Sandhu.
DMCH has all the facilities to take care and manage leprosy and its complications and providing the free medicines to the leprosy patients.