Leprosy Cases Surge in Sundargarh: What’s Behind the Alarming Rise?

Rising Leprosy Cases in Sundargarh District

In Sundargarh district, the number of leprosy cases continues to escalate, with 707 new patients reported over the last 20 months. Health authorities attribute this surge to a lack of healthcare personnel, including paramedics and physiotherapists, alongside insufficient medical facilities.

Between April and July, 81 new cases were identified, with the Hemgir area showing the highest incidence, particularly among vulnerable groups like the elderly and children. The average prevalence rate is currently at 4.02%. Despite significant government investment aimed at eradicating leprosy, the situation in Sundargarh remains troubling.

Leprosy symptoms can take five to six years to manifest, complicating early diagnosis and treatment. To combat this, the government has deployed ASHA workers to conduct screenings at primary health centers and hospitals, while also promoting awareness and ensuring treatment access.

Efforts to eradicate the disease have included appointing a district leprosy officer (DLO), a special physiotherapist, and additional paramedical staff. However, the district is currently served by only one physiotherapist, and Rourkela lacks any physiotherapist in its six leprosy testing units. Patients often go undiagnosed unless their conditions are severe.

The shortage of paramedical staff across all six hospitals in Rourkela further complicates patient care. Local residents emphasize the urgent need for improved manpower and infrastructure to effectively tackle the rising prevalence of leprosy.

Sundargarh DLO Mahendra Tanti confirmed that the government is adhering to guidelines to manage the disease's spread. He noted that patients receive medications, rehabilitation support, and government incentives, with ongoing awareness campaigns from rural areas to urban centers. Tanti remains optimistic that the leprosy rates in the district will decrease in the near future.