Lack of resources to blame for plight of leprosy patients?

There is a paucity of resources and individuals in confronting the challenges posed by leprosy due to the global economic transition, experts said here Thursday. They were speaking at speaking at the conclusion of a two-day meeting on challenges and solutions to prevent disability in the people affected by leprosy and the launch of 'GoodBye Leprosy Trust' (GBLT) - a forum created for public awareness and mobilising financial resources in India to eradicate Leprosy.

'The only option left for the organisations working for the eradication of leprosy is to raise local resources, which seems promising only if the efforts are put collectively,' the experts said. 'We need to widen our emphasis from individual efforts to a collective action for a social change. It is a high time that we record our focus in addition to fulfilling the medical, physical and psychological needs of people affected by Leprosy to ensure their rights and their full participation in the society,' said Jose Manikkanathan, Chairman, GBLT. (Read: The views of WHO at international leprosy summit in 2013.)

'We need to realise that more resources are needed to address the challenges of Leprosy, but we are placed in a discontented situation with the inadequacy of external funds,' he added. According to the data provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are a total of 1,27,295 reported cases of leprosy across India. Delhi alone reports a rise 1,200 leprosy cases every year. There are 850 colonies in India, where people affected by leprosy are living marginalised from the society. Manikkanathan said that the GBLT members will collaborate with the Government of India and its respective state governments including leprosy societies to raise the funds for the eradication of leprosy from the country. (Read: The efforts of India to fight leprosy.)

Rene Staeheli, President International Leprosy Eradication Programme (ILEP), said: 'There is an immense need of local coalition to raise funds in India, so that leprosy can be eradicated from the country'. 'There is also a need to empower the civil societies of India, so that their perceptions towards leprosy patients change', Staeheli told . According to data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of leprosy cases at 24,627, followed by 17,892 in Maharashtra and 17,801 in Bihar. (Read: The stigma associated with leprosy.)

Here are some facts about leprosy

Fact #1: India leads the world in the number of leprosy cases

To be more specific, we have fifty eight percent of the global leprosy load. Currently 1,34,752 new cases are detected in India in the first quarter of 2013. The number of women afflicted by the disease is a lot more than the number of men and over thirteen thousand children have been found to be afflicted with this disease. Read more about the number of leprosy cases in India.

Fact #2: Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases in the world

Leprosy is one of the oldest and most stigmatised diseases the world over. It is also known as Hansen's Disease named after the scientist who discovered it Armauer Hansen. It is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the nervous system and numbs the extremities in the exposed parts of the body like the hands, feet and face.

Fact #3: Is caused by a bacteria

The disease is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae. The most common symptom is the occurrence of paled patches on skin without sensitivity.

Fact #4: It is not easily transmitted

It is believed to be transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth. But unlike other infectious diseases it spreads only with repeated and close contact with the infected person, and only untreated patients pose a risk. If an infected person seeks treatment, from the very first dose itself the amount of bacteria in the person reduces drastically. Read more about World Leprosy Day: 10 facts about leprosy you didn't know

With inputs from IANS

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