Salima records 37 leprosy cases

Salima District Hospital has recorded 37 cumulative cases of leprosy between May 2021 and June 2022.

The hospital’s dermatologist Philbert Undi said this on Wednesday in a presentation on the state of the disease in the district during a Public Health Management Committee meeting.

He said out of the 37 cases, 26 are males and 11 are females, adding that all cases are on treatment to prevent further spread of the disease.

Undi said out of the 37 cases, 25 percent have developed grade two disabilities, which is the most common side effect of the disease.

“The biggest fear in leprosy is deformities as most of the people begin to have problems with their hands and feet after going for so long without seeking medical attention,” he said.

Undi said the disease is curable with early medical assistance to prevent deformities.

Salima District director of health and social services Jones Chise appealed to communities to report any suspected case of leprosy to a health facility.   

He said early treatment of such disease is vital to prevent further spread in the district.

Malawi achieved elimination threshold for leprosy in 1994 but the disease has resurfaced over the years.