Pokhara, Jan 26: Every year the last Sunday is observed as world leprosy day. According to the latest data total 3,282 new leprosy patients were found in country. The highest number 1,484 is in the State 2 and lowest in Gandaki state with 88 patients. The second highest number 719 is in State 5 followed by 471 in State 1, 266 in Sudur Paschim, 165 in Bagmati, qnd 89 in Karnali.
Though Nepal had on 19th January 2010 announced the elimination of leprosy at the national level, it still makes its presence in 17 districts. The state of elimination is understood when there is no more than a single case of leprosy among per 10,000 populations.
The government aims to make the country totally free from leprosy by 2020. Jhapa, Morang, Udaypur, Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Siraha, Banke, Bardiya, Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi West, Rupandehi, Kailali and Achham has the higher rate of leprosy cases than the elimination level.
The data of the past nine years indicate that annually some 3,000 new leprosy cases are identified in the country, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. Information about this was shared at an interaction programme organised on the occasion of the 67th World Leprosy Day here today.