Sambalpur: Rising Cases of Leprosy-Related Disabilities in Sambalpur; Identification Drive in Action

Identification Campaign Begins Today

Sambalpur: The number of leprosy-related disability cases in Sambalpur is rapidly increasing. In 2019, only 2.6 people per 10 lakh people suffered from leprosy-related disabilities, but this figure is expected to rise to 20.6 by 2023. At its peak in 2022, it reached 27.7 per 10 lakh people.

Starting today, the Health and Family Welfare Department has launched a leprosy detection campaign across the district. However, allegations have emerged that the district administration is not prioritizing this critical issue despite its significance.

Leprosy Situation in Odisha

Leprosy control in Odisha appears to be worsening instead of improving. Western Odisha, including Sambalpur, has seen a surge in cases after districts like Bargarh and Boudh reported significant numbers. A letter from the state Health Department to the District Collector revealed shocking data, highlighting Odisha as the state with the highest number of detected leprosy cases in India.

The National Leprosy Division of the Central Government aims to reduce leprosy cases to less than one per 10,000 people by 2027, as well as disability cases to a minimum. However, Sambalpur currently has 1.9 leprosy cases per 10,000 people, and the disability rate has risen to 20.6 per 10 lakh.

Challenges and Contributing Factors

Leprosy-related disabilities were under control until 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant setbacks. With health departments focusing on pandemic management, leprosy control programs took a back seat, leading to a sharp rise in cases. Areas such as Jujumura, Fasimal, Bamra, Rengali, Maneswar, and Dhankauda report the highest number of cases.

The Ongoing Campaign

From November 18 to 30, a leprosy detection drive will be conducted. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will visit each household to identify suspected leprosy patients. These cases will then be confirmed at health centers and treated with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).

Before the campaign’s launch, district-level monitoring committees were supposed to meet under the District Collector’s chairmanship. However, reports suggest these meetings have not yet occurred in Sambalpur. This lack of coordination raises concerns about the administration’s seriousness in tackling the leprosy crisis.

Call for Immediate Action

Experts warn that if the district administration does not prioritize leprosy eradication efforts, the situation may deteriorate further. Immediate attention and coordinated efforts are critical to controlling the spread of this preventable disease and reducing disabilities caused by it.