Mysore/Mysuru: Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy has given a call to those having symptoms of leprosy to avail treatment on time, to achieve the target of building a Leprosy-Free India.

He was speaking after releasing the posters of Leprosy Awareness Campaign at Zilla Panchayat Hall in city recently.

Reddy said, leprosy is one among the epidemics and is a communicable disease that infects person to person, who come in contact with leprosy patients, when they either cough or sneeze. However, it is totally curable and the timely treatment holds the key for early cure.

Stressing on creating awareness among people about leprosy, he recalled the words of Mahatma Gandhi and said, the dream of building Leprosy-Free India is possible when everyone joins hands in this regard and eradicate the malaise and discrimination attached to leprosy.

DHO Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy instructed ASHA workers and health workers to go door-to-door at all the villages and create awareness about leprosy. In case of any suspected cases, they should be referred for treatment, he advised.

District Leprosy Eradication Officer Dr. B. Brinda explained about leprosy, its symptoms and causes. Free treatment is provided at all Government Hospitals. Any negligence may lead to physical deformities and hence one should be equally cautious.

RCHO Dr. Mohammed Shiraz Ahmed, Assistant Statistical Officer Anil Christy, Physiotherapist Dr. R.T. Shruti, Epidemiologist Dr. Kavita, Programme Manager T. Pooja, Health Inspector G.S. Sumanth and Paramedical Volunteer J. Mahesh Kumar were present.