Civil Surgeon Office of Khulna today organised a discussion to mark the World Leprosy Day-2025. Photo: BSS

 
KHULNA, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS)- Experts have stressed the need for creating mass 
awareness about the signs and symptoms of leprosy and ensuring treatment for 
patients suffering from leprosy free of cost.
 
Describing the major sign and symptoms of leprosy, they unanimously mentioned 
that the late case diagnosis, little knowledge among community people, social 
stigma and limited mental health services are the major challenges towards 
eradication of the disease.

Health experts and medical practitioners came up with the observation while 
addressing a post rally discussion on the issue today.

The Civil Surgeon Office organised the discussion at its conference hall to 
mark the World Leprosy Day 2025. 

This year's theme of the day is: "Unite, Act, and Eliminate Leprosy". 
Longstanding stigma around this disease stubbornly persists, and 
misinformation only adds to the challenge.

With Divisional Director of Health Dr Monjurul Murshid in the chair, the 
meeting was addressed, among others, by Superintendent of General Hospital Dr 
Rafiqul Islam Gazi, Additional Superintendent of Police Khairul Anam and 
Medical Officer Dr Sheikh Sadia Monwara Usha.
 
"Leprosy mainly affects the skin and superficial segments of peripheral 
nerves, but can affect any tissue except brain and spinal cord. However, it 
is not a hereditary disease," said Dr Monjurul Murshid.
 
As leprosy service providers are limited in the country, the physician said, 
authorities concerned should extend cooperation towards the existing 
organisations giving services to leprosy patients and encourage new doctors 
to work for the leprosy patients.
 
Social awareness must be created so that no leprosy patient remains out of 
treatment since the untreated cases are the only source of more infection, Dr 
Murshid added.
 
He said the major sign and symptoms of leprosy are hypo-pigmented anesthetic 
skin patch, nodules under skin and thickening of earlobe, depressed nose, 
painless ulcer, numbness of fingers or claw fingers, foot drop due to damage 
of lateral palatal nerve and lagophthalmos due to facial nerve damage.