Health Ministry concerned over spread of leprosy

0

MIRI: Every year the state records 15 to 20 cases of leprosy mainly in poor rural areas.

Although this figure is not alarming, the Ministry of Health is very concerned over the occurrence of this dreaded disease.

It is carrying out continuous awareness programmes in the rural areas to curb the spread of leprosy and identify those who have contracted the disease to give them early treatment.

During a recent meeting with reporters here, Miri Divisional Health officer Dr Faizul Mansoor advised those in contact with leprosy patients to go for yearly medical checkups.

He added that the medical department would carry out a leprosy awareness programme at Long Banga in the interior of Baram on June 26.

The `Leprosy Day Campaign’, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Samling Group of Companies, Welfare Department, the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Long Banga and Yaw Teck Seng Foundation.

“We hope to reduce the number of cases through such programmes.

“They will be more effective with the strong support from the villagers and the society ,” Dr Faizul said.