Leprosy Services

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This nerve damage may result in a lack of ability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of a person's extremities from repeated injuries or infection due to unnoticed wounds. An infected person may also experience muscle weakness and poor eyesight. Leprosy symptoms may begin within one year, but, for some people, symptoms may take 20 years or more to occur.

Leprosy is spread between people, although extensive contact is necessary. Leprosy has a low pathogenicity, and 95% of people who contract M. leprae do not develop the disease. Spread is thought to occur through a cough or contact with fluid from the nose of a person infected by leprosy. Genetic factors and immune function play a role in how easily a person catches the disease. Leprosy does not spread during pregnancy to the unborn child or through sexual contact. Leprosy occurs more commonly among people living in poverty. There are two main types of the disease - paucibacillary and multibacillary, which differ in the number of bacteria present. A person with paucibacillary disease has five or fewer poorly-pigmented, numb skin patches, while a person with multibacillary disease has more than five skin patches. The diagnosis is confirmed by finding acid-fast bacilli in a biopsy of the skin.

Gremaltes has been carrying out its Leprosy control activities, in Chennai city and in the municipal areas of Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts and in the hospital, which continues to be a key referral centre for leprosy in these areas.

As facilitator, for Chennai city and in the municipal areas of Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, Gremaltes has been able to fully concentrate on ULEP activities such as identification of stakeholders, Training, Inter Personal Communication (IPC) Prevention of Deformity (POD), Re-constructive Surgeries (RCS) and Rehabilitation.

The hospital has been handling an increased number of cases of complications of leprosy among existing and newly referred cases such as reactions and deformities. A large number of cases of trophic ulcers have been managed in the OPD and in the wards. All new cases visiting or referred to the hospital are screened thoroughly and investigated. All active cases are counselled regarding treatment and referred through the facilitators to their nearest health care facility for MDT.