The Hindu : New Delhi News : Cash incentives for taking care of leprosy patients

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Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
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Cash incentives for taking care of leprosy patients

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Leprosy is a completely curable: Minister
Delhi has 3,036 registered leprosy cases

NEW DELHI: In a major initiative to involve the common man in its drive against leprosy and the stigma attached to the disease, the Delhi Health Ministry has promised a cash incentive to those helping leprosy patients procure and comply with their drug treatment schedule.

Under the new scheme which will become applicable by this coming April, the Ministry proposes to award public volunteers a sum of Rs.300 for taking care of one leprosy patient under six-month treatment and Rs.500 for taking care of one leprosy patient under one-year treatment.

Health Minister Yoganand Shastri said: “Leprosy is a completely curable disease. There are two treatment regimes available based on bacillary load. Treatment is available for six and 12 months’ period. Drugs are highly effective against this disease. However, we have identified a problem with patients not adhering to the treatment regime and thus not being able to achieve complete cure. This latest programme then is aimed at ensuring that through public participation we work on eliminating the stigma attached to leprosy and also ensure that leprosy patients get monitored supply of medicines and complete their treatment too. The programme will be started soon.”

At present the Capital has a total of 3,036 registered leprosy cases of which 1,328 are from Delhi, 1,695 from outside and 13 from other countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal. According to data provided by the Health Department, 58 per cent of the leprosy cases registered in the city are from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

“There is an overwhelming migration of people from adjoining states to Delhi because of the good health care services available here and also good basic amenities. We also introduced several new welfare schemes to improve the condition of leprosy-affected persons in the Capital. The subsistence allowance has been increased to leprosy patients of Delhi residing in leprosy resettlement colonies. Free dressing material and other facilities are provided to the patients,” added Dr. Shastri. Meanwhile, to give a boost to the public awareness programme, the Health Ministry will organise a painting competition on the theme “Leprosy: Kal Aaj Aur Kal”. Aimed more specifically at school and college students and inmates of juvenile homes, the competition is also open to the general public. There is no age bar and all entries have to be sent to the State Leprosy Officer before January 28. Best three entries will be awarded Rs.10,000 (first prize), Rs.5,000 (second prize) and Rs.3,000 (third prize).

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