Balangan, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Cases of leprosy in Balangan, South Kalimantan, increased in 2015 compared to 2014.
According to data from the Balangan Health Agency, in 2014 eight cases of leprosy found, but they have increased in 2015 up to 14 new cases.
Head of the local Health Agency Humam Arifin in Paringin revealed, there were 14 cases or 1.2 percent of new cases recorded per 10,000 population in Balangan in 2015.
"Until now there were approximately 25 patients still undergoing treatment, either new patients of cases findings in 2015 as well as old patients in 2014," he said.
Leprosy, he explained, is a complex infectious disease. This is due to problems arising not only from medical side, but extends to social issues, culture, social security and resilience.
"Leprosy is still feared by people, even by health workers themselves. This is due to a lack of knowledge and understanding, and coupled with the erroneous belief against leprosy and disabilities caused," he said.
Efforts to control leprosy in the world set the year 2000 as a milestone achievement of leprosy elimination. Our country managed to achieve this target in the same year.
"Our country managed to achieve the target, but the development of the last ten years shows a static trend in the discovery of new cases," he explained.
By integrated and effective control of leprosy, he added, health care improved through examination or early detection, treatment and care flawed figures could be reduced.
"The integrated and comprehensive control program through appropriate strategies to endemicity of leprosy, we hope discovery and handling of new cases this year will be more effective," he said.
"We also hope patients and communities to be more open if encounter or experience this case to immediately consult even undergo treatment at the health center in Balangan," said Humam Arifin.
edited by mahdani
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan 2016
According to data from the Balangan Health Agency, in 2014 eight cases of leprosy found, but they have increased in 2015 up to 14 new cases.
Head of the local Health Agency Humam Arifin in Paringin revealed, there were 14 cases or 1.2 percent of new cases recorded per 10,000 population in Balangan in 2015.
"Until now there were approximately 25 patients still undergoing treatment, either new patients of cases findings in 2015 as well as old patients in 2014," he said.
Leprosy, he explained, is a complex infectious disease. This is due to problems arising not only from medical side, but extends to social issues, culture, social security and resilience.
"Leprosy is still feared by people, even by health workers themselves. This is due to a lack of knowledge and understanding, and coupled with the erroneous belief against leprosy and disabilities caused," he said.
Efforts to control leprosy in the world set the year 2000 as a milestone achievement of leprosy elimination. Our country managed to achieve this target in the same year.
"Our country managed to achieve the target, but the development of the last ten years shows a static trend in the discovery of new cases," he explained.
By integrated and effective control of leprosy, he added, health care improved through examination or early detection, treatment and care flawed figures could be reduced.
"The integrated and comprehensive control program through appropriate strategies to endemicity of leprosy, we hope discovery and handling of new cases this year will be more effective," he said.
"We also hope patients and communities to be more open if encounter or experience this case to immediately consult even undergo treatment at the health center in Balangan," said Humam Arifin.
edited by mahdani
Editor : Mahdani
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan 2016