ACTIVE CASE-FINDING UPDATE
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A key component of SFLG’s operational strategy is Active Case-Finding; early detection and diagnosis of leprosy followed by treatment with Multidrug Therapy. In this way. the transmission of leprosy can be stopped and lifelong disabilities can be prevented.
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SFLG partners with other leprosy organisations to carry out community outreach work, raise awareness of the disease, monitor for early symptoms, and oversee treatment. This type of work is key in rural and remote communities, where people live many miles from medical facilities with no means of transport.
In addition to finding new cases of leprosy, ACF also involves tracing the close contacts of people with leprosy, so they can be screened for the disease. In this way, the chain of infection can be broken.
In addition to finding new cases of leprosy, ACF also involves tracing the close contacts of people with leprosy, so they can be screened for the disease. In this way, the chain of infection can be broken.
Jony, sitting on his mother's lap, with his siblings and father. By kind permission of Alert India
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Jony's story
Jony Ramesh Chimada is four-years-old. He lives in the leprosy endemic, tribal region of Dhanu, Palghar district of Maharashtra, with his parents and two brothers. Jony's family is extremely poor and they struggle from day to day to survive. Jony and his two brothers do not go to school. His family has a history of leprosy. |
Fortunately, during the Active Case-Finding and contact survey conducted by SFLG's partner, Jony was screened.
He was found to have multiple patches and suspected for leprosy. He was examined and diagnosed with multiple bacillary, MB leprosy, with high levels of leprosy bacteria. He was immediately started on Multidrug Therapy and has now completed six months of MDT. This timely intervention enabled the diagnosis of leprosy and treatment to prevent deformity, halt transmission and prevent a lifetime of leprosy, unlike his father.
Five years ago, Jony's father, Ramesh Chimada, was also diagnosed with MB leprosy and cured, but his delayed treatment resulted in visible deformities and sensory loss in in his feet. He had difficulty in continuing his work as a farmer.
Jony’s mother, Vani Chimada, was also diagnosed with MB leprosy and cured. She now works as a farm labourer for the survival of family.
This Active Case-Finding project supported by SFLG is vital in preserving the lives of children and vulnerable communities living in the tribal and neglected region of Palghar, Maharashtra.
He was found to have multiple patches and suspected for leprosy. He was examined and diagnosed with multiple bacillary, MB leprosy, with high levels of leprosy bacteria. He was immediately started on Multidrug Therapy and has now completed six months of MDT. This timely intervention enabled the diagnosis of leprosy and treatment to prevent deformity, halt transmission and prevent a lifetime of leprosy, unlike his father.
Five years ago, Jony's father, Ramesh Chimada, was also diagnosed with MB leprosy and cured, but his delayed treatment resulted in visible deformities and sensory loss in in his feet. He had difficulty in continuing his work as a farmer.
Jony’s mother, Vani Chimada, was also diagnosed with MB leprosy and cured. She now works as a farm labourer for the survival of family.
This Active Case-Finding project supported by SFLG is vital in preserving the lives of children and vulnerable communities living in the tribal and neglected region of Palghar, Maharashtra.
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