VISIT TO A LEPROSY REFERRAL CENTER SAVED ALKA’S EYESIGHT AND PERMANENT DAMAGE DUE TO LEPROSY

Alka wife of Vanshya Dikar and a mother of three children, a tribal lady resident of village Vadoli in area of PHC Sutrakar was brought to a Leprosy Referral Clinic (LRC) at Talasari Rural Hospital by one of her relatives for the complaints of swollen red skin patch in the face, with about six months history.

On thorough examination, she was diagnosed with leprosy. Smear test further indicated that her disease was non-infectious. However, it was revealed the skin patch face was in reaction phase causing disability, at an early stage, in her right eye. 

ALERT-INDIA’s LRC team planned a line of treatment both for treating leprosy with Multi-Drug Therapy (MB-MDT 1 year) and a special course of treatment with steroids and physiotherapy for the management of reaction and disability. Physiotherapy included treatment with electric muscle stimulation along with exercises for the affected eye. Alka complied with the medical advice and attended regularly for physiotherapy sessions at the LRC and collecting steroid medicines. She also had home-based self-care practice for eye doing regular exercises.

The result was obvious. After four months of medical care, the reaction subsided and early disability in the eye was totally recovered.  Her eye is prevented from permanent disability due to action by a caring relative and effective treatment and management at LRC and none the less, understanding about the disease & cooperation by Alka herself in complying with the medical advice.

However, Alka is continuing the last course of treatment for reaction along with medication for leprosy, MB-MDT a one year course.