20 new cases of leprosy have been recorded in Kogi State

A Programme officer for Leprosy Mission Nigeria (LMN) in Kogi State, Mrs. Hannah Fashona has revealed that the state has recorded 20 new cases of leprosy.

Fashona disclosed this yesterday November 16 at the COVID-19 response palliatives distribution for communities of persons affected by leprosy and disabilities in the state, according to her, the new cases were recorded between January and November 2020.

She said that the state referrer center located in Ochadamu in the eastern flank of the State had succeeded in treating some patients affected with the disease.

She however countered the Federal Government’s claim of Nigeria attaining zero elimination campaign of leprosy in the country.

A Daily Trust report also revealed that some patients don’t come early enough, but come only when it is either grade one or grade two disabilities, a situation that may be difficult to attend to.

Fashona said;

“The Federal Ministry of Health recently said they have recorded zero elimination campaign of leprosy, whereas, day in day out, we record new cases of which children are largely involved.

“They must have gone round the whole herbalists miles around before coming to our referrer centre in Ochadamu for them to get solution. The Federal Government has to come in to achieve that zero elimination campaign and should not be by lip service.”