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The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has suggested a six-point Action Plan for eradication of Leprosy in India by the year 2005. He was addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh (HKNS) here today. The action plan includes action for faster detection of Leprosy cases using children of the educational institutions located in the affected states as Programme Facilitators and compiling a list of voluntary organisations in the affected states by the Sangh.
The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has also suggested that the Health Ministry should call a joint meeting of voluntary organisations and the states for motivating them and getting the commitment to eradicate Leprosy. The President has also suggested that, if necessary, a meeting at the level of the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers/Governors of the affected states may be arranged for getting concurrence and support for launching the mission on Leprosy eradication. A specialist who has successfully worked for Leprosy in some states may be appointed as the Mission Director for the eradication programme, the President said.
Noting that the number of patients affected by the Leprosy has been on the decrease, the President stressed the need for intensifying efforts for disability care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
Presenting the Annual Report of the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that with the introduction of the multi-drug therapy recommended by WHO, leprosy incidence is on the decline.
He said, seven states are on the verge of leprosy elimination with a prevalence rate of less than one per 10,000 populations. He said, he was confident of bringing down the prevalence rate to below one by the end of the year. He said, greater attention was being paid to rehabilitation of leprosy affected persons through integration with income generating tasks.
The Annual General Meeting of the HKNS is being held after a gap of 11 years. The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has promised to hold the Annual General Meetings every year from now onwards.
EK/MK.
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