Significant increase in Leprosy cases recorded

Over 500 leprosy cases have been reported from Sri Lanka, which is a significant increase compared to the first four months of last year, Leprosy Control Unit Director Dr. Prasad Ranaweera said.

He stated that in the last four months of this year, 86 patients have been reported from Colombo district, 48 patients each from Gampaha and Batticaloa districts, 36 patients from Galle district, and the rest from other districts.

Thus, while 218 patients have been reported from four districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Batticaloa and Galle, 282 patients have been reported from the other 21 districts.

The director said that despite the very successful medical procedures to cure leprosy, due to the misconceptions that still exist in society, many patients have worsened their condition by not visiting the doctors and hospital clinics for treatment.

The doctor said that if this disease is properly treated, it can be cured within six months.