Thu Jan 30 19:40:26 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Hospital Marks World Leprosy Day with Awareness Programme
**CHENNAI, January 31, 2025** – Government Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Chennai observed World Leprosy Day on Thursday with an awareness program attended by Chennai Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade. The event highlighted the ongoing fight against leprosy in India and Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Vijaya Baskar, head of Leprology and Dermatology at SMCH, revealed that India’s leprosy prevalence rate stands at 0.45%, compared to 0.3% in Tamil Nadu. A total of 75,394 new cases were detected nationwide in 2024, with 2,434 cases reported in Tamil Nadu. SMCH alone diagnosed and treated 38 new cases using Multi Drug Therapy. The hospital’s leprosy outpatient department has successfully treated and cured 3,000 patients to date.
SMCH employs advanced techniques like growth factor administration and platelet-rich plasma therapy to manage resistant reactions and trophic ulcers. Weekly disability prevention and rehabilitation programs, along with high-resolution ultrasonography for early nerve paralysis detection, are also integral to their approach.
Collector Zagade emphasized the World Health Organization’s “Towards Zero Leprosy” strategy and the 2025 theme, “Unite, Act, Eliminate.” She administered an awareness pledge and distributed footwear and walking sticks to patients, urging doctors to expand health education initiatives. The hospital dean, P. Balaji, also attended the event.
First Piper 