BENGALURU: A renovated operation theatre for reconstructive surgeries at will be inaugurated at the Leprosy Hospital, Magadi Road, on the occasion of the 148th Gandhi Jayanti on Monday.
This will help patients rehabilitate themselves physically, cosmetically and socially. In addition, clothes, self-care kits, aids and appliances will also be distributed to patients by the Swamy Vivekananda Integrated Rural Health Centre.
Karnataka is one of the states that has eliminated leprosy, a statement from the health department said on Sunday. Leprosy prevalence rate is 0.41 for every 10,000 population (i.e. < 1 per 10,000) for 2016-17 and 0.37 per 10,000 population from April to July 2017, the statement said. However, the deformity rate is reported to be 3.52 for every 10,000 people.
Currently, in Karnataka, five government institutions -- Victoria Hospital and KC General Hospital in Bengaluru, Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru, KIMS, Hubbali, VIMS, Ballari, and KR Hospital, Mysuru -- and three NGOs (Hubbali Hospital for Handicapped, Swamy Vivekananda Integrated Rural Health Centre, Tumakuru and Pavagada, and Belagavi Leprosy Hospital) are providing reconstructive surgery services for deformed leprosy patients.