World leprosy Day: Anambra Detects 109 Cases of Leprosy

Leprosy disease has hit Anambra State, www.odogwublog.com authoritatively reports. The state government has discovered a total of 109 cases. Of the number 95 were registered in 2014 and 14 new cases registered this year, making it a total of 109 detected cases of leprosy in the State since Governor Willie Obiano’s administration took off.
Nigerian Pilot informs that leprosy is also known as Hansen's disease (HD). It is a chronic infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis and it causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms and legs. The disease has been around since ancient days.
There difference is that today, the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy and most endemic countries are striving to fully integrate leprosy services into existing general health care delivery system.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, who revealed this in his office during a press briefing to commemorate this year’s world leprosy day.
The theme of this year’s world leprosy day is, ‘Leprosy Elimination: the Challenge Beyond MDT’
Dr. Akabuike who said that prevention rate of leprosy is low declared that Anambra has two leprosy rehabilitation centres in Nnwei and Okija and can as well be treated in all the 21 local government areas in the state, adding that the drug if free.
“We shall visit the two centres tomorrow to dine, wine and dance with them as His Excellency, Gov. Willie Obiano has approved some funds to procure bags of rice, yam, beans, vegetable oil,  toiletries, , mattresses, water, disinfectants and to replenish the state clinics with MDT drugs for the patients” he said.
He described leprosy as a chronic bacteria disease that mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves and mucus membranes of the upper respiratory tract, caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium leprae.

He identifies signs and symptoms of leprosy as light patches on the skin, loss or disease of feeling in the skin patch, numbness,  painful or tender nerves swelling on the lumps or earlobe among others, even as he noted that impairment and disabilities from leprosy could be prevented by early case  detected and effective treatment with Multi Drug Therapy (MDT), preservation of nerve function and vision.
Earlier, the State TB, Leprosy and Bluriel Officer, Dr. Isreal Enemuo said that the essence of the briefing is to create awareness and sensitisation of the entire populace on the prevention and control of leprosy.

“Information campaigns about leprosy in high risk areas are crucial so that patients and their families, who were historically ostracized from their communities, are encouraged to come forward and receive treatment. The most effective way of preventing disabilities in leprosy, as well as preventing further transmission of the disease, lies in early diagnosis and treatment with MDT” he said.