Leprosy Cases On The Rise In Banke District

Banke district has seen a concerning increase in leprosy cases, with 84 new infections reported over the past year. According to Mangal Bahadur Tharu, Chief of Shining Hospital in Janaki Rural Municipality-3, the INF-run hospital reported a total of 146 new leprosy cases in the last fiscal year (2080/81).

Of these, 84 cases were from Banke, while the remaining were from Bardiya (24), India (21), Sudurpaschim (5), Rukum (4), Salyan (3), and one case each from Dailekh, Surkhet, Jajarkot, Rolpa, and Humla.

Tharu also noted that 39% of the new cases tested positive for Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium responsible for the disease. All affected individuals have been referred to appropriate health facilities for treatment.

Shining Hospital, which provided outpatient services to over 17,000 individuals last fiscal year, has expanded its leprosy services, becoming a critical resource in managing and combating the disease in the region.