DOH heightens drive vs leprosy

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health–7 will conduct a program and information drive on leprosy in different provinces of Central Visayas as it intensifies the campaign to eradicate the disease.

This is in line with the DOH’s move to mark February as Leprosy Month.

 “Angay ang atong komunidad ug sa katong nangasakit ani makahibawo nga dili sila angay kahadlokan kay nana man tay mga tambal through our multi-drug therapy,” said Joanri Riveral, a medical specialist on transmittable diseases of DOH -7

 Riveral is tasked to handle the leprosy program.

 “We celebrate this Leprosy Month every February, however, this is still a yearlong advocacy,” he said.

 Last January 25 was the annual observance of World Leprosy Day.

 “Before, leprosy patients are isolated. Pero karon dili sila angay mahadlok tungod kay leprosy is curable, and we want to emphasize in intensifying our advocacy on preventing the disease,” he said referring to this year’s theme.

 For Region VII, he cited that the estimated number of leprosy cases reached to more than 400.

 Under the leprosy program, the DOH-7 would conduct the ‘Kilatis Kutis’ activity in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

 “Ang DOH karon giuna ang province of Cebu. atong giapas karon ang tri-cities (Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu), including provincial cities sa Cebu,” he said.

 “We do consultations among patients with various skin diseases since individuals inflicted with leprosy tend to hide their skin ailment, it is also to better determine whether they are really suffering from leprosy,” he said.

 The DOH also provides additional supply of ointments, which are anti-fungus and anti-bacterial that will be distributed to different provinces in the region.

 “Through our leprosy awareness, we teach doctors and nurses and health care providers like midwives on how to detect early signs of skin lesions which  is a possible indication of leprosy,” he said.

 Riveral further said their personnel have utilized a network system in which they can use their cellular phones to take pictures of those having skin problems.

These photos, he said, will be sent to the central office to determine possible leprosy cases.  (FREEMAN)