On the occasion of the World Leprosy Day, Himalayan Hospital, Jollygrant organized a health awareness camp on Wednesday.

The medical superintendent (MS) of Himalayan Hospital, Dr Y S Bisht said that the camp was organised at PEN India School near Sapera Basti.

He informed that dermatologists from Himalayan Hospital and a group of MBBS II year students had gave informed  about the symptoms and treatments for leprosy along with the myths that are associated with leprosy by performing a skit.

Dr Bisht said that the people who came to the camp would be provided free registration for treatment in Himalayan Hospital.

He has promised to conduct more awareness camps in future.

Himalayan Hospital associted skin specialist Dr Rashmi Jindal said that leprosy is a contagious disease that is caused by the infection of Mycobacterium leprae which is a slow dividing bacterium.

She said that the Bacteria are found in tuberculoid and lepromatous shapes.

Dr Jindal said Lepromatous  causes large lumps and bumps, commonly referred to as nodules in medical terms.

Dr Nancy Bhardwaj said that the symptoms of the disease are pain in eyes and legs, skin lesions, numbness in hands, feet, arms and legs, muscular weakness, severe disfigurement and disabilities.

The patron of PEN India Foundation, Dr Prakash Keshaviah said that India has the highest number of leprosy patients globally and said that such awareness camps would prove beneficial in achieving the aim of World Health Organisation (WHO) in eradicating leprosy.

The chairperson of the foundation Anup Rawat and director Santosh Budakoti welcomed the SRHU medical superintendent Dr YS Bisht and his team for this awareness camp and expressed their thanks for their initiative of providing free treatments to the people who were present in the camp.