Sinlung /
01 February 2010

Mizoram Close to 'No Leprosy' State

leprosy Aizawl, Feb 1 : The state health department in a statement issued on the Anti-Leprosy Day today said Mizoram is marching ahead towards total eradication of leprosy.

Mizoram on Saturday observed the 62nd Anti-Leprosy Day along with the rest of the country to mark the death anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

The health department said anti-leprosy campaign was started in Mizoram since 1981 and presently close to total eradication of the disease.

According to the health department records since 1982, leprosy has affected 1395 persons in Mizoram, of which 1380 have been cured.

In 2001, leprosy-affected people constituted less than one per cent of the total population allowing Mizoram to get incentive cash awards from the central government. With this fund the state's lone leprosy hospital at Tlabung was upgraded.

At present 15 leprosy patients, most of which are migrants, are being treated at the hospital. Health officials said leprosy is rampant along the Bangladesh and Assam borders.

This showed that the target of total eradication of the disease from the state is within reach.

There is possibility of total eradication of the disease from the soil of the state, the health officials said.

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