KATHMANDU: A total of 16 districts in the country are yet to be free of leprosy. The 16 districts are Jhapa, Morang, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Parasi, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardia, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Achham.
Director of the Leprosy Mission Nepal, Shobhakar Kandel said that two thousand to three thousand new leprosy patients are found every year and stressed that people from all walks of life should work together for a leprosy-free Nepal.
He lauded residents of Godavari Municipality Ward No. 5 and 6 for allowing to establish a leprosy hospital in their locality 66 years ago.
Chief expert of Department of Health Leprosy Control and Disability Management Unit, Dr Prashanna Napit, said last year there were patients of leprosy in 11 districts which has increased to 16 districts this year.
“Patients of this disease have been seen especially in Tarai district with dense settlements and open borders with India “, he said.
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