Health Dept intensifies fight against leprosy with district-Level pledge and signature Drive
Leprosy is Curable: Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajeev Parashar
January 30, 2026: As part of the nationwide Leprosy Eradication Campaign, a district-level pledge ceremony was organized today at the Civil Surgeon’s office under the leadership of Civil Surgeon Ferozepur, Dr. Rajeev Parashar. The event aimed at reaffirming the health department's commitment to the complete elimination of leprosy and enhancing public awareness regarding the disease.
During the ceremony, program officers and medical staff took a formal oath to work tirelessly toward eradicating leprosy and educating the masses to eliminate the social stigma attached to it. Informative banners highlighting the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the disease were also displayed to educate visitors.
Addressing the gathering, Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajeev Parashar stated that leprosy is a fully curable disease. "Diagnosis and treatment for leprosy are available free of cost at all government healthcare facilities across the district. The Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is a guaranteed cure for this ailment," he informed.
Providing technical insights, District Leprosy Nodal Officer Dr. Manmeet Singh explained that the primary sign of leprosy is the appearance of light copper-colored patches on the skin that lack sensation (numbness). "This numbness is caused by damage to the nerves under the skin. If left untreated, it can lead to physical deformities or the loss of sensation in limbs, which may result in injuries and subsequent damage to body parts," he warned.
Following the seminar, a signature campaign was launched to intensify the eradication efforts. All program officers signed the pledge board, vowing to accelerate the mission at the grassroots level.
Further expanding on the complications, Deputy Mass Media Officer Ankush Bhandari noted that the disease can also affect the eyes. If the infection spreads to the ocular region, a patient might find it difficult to close their eyelids fully, potentially leading to corneal scarring and vision loss.