Training and investigation of leprosy epidemiology in Quang Lam commune

On October 13-14, the Central Dermatology Hospital delegation led by Specialist Doctor II Ha Tuan Minh, Deputy Head of the Line Command Department, coordinated with the Center for Disease Control to organize a training course on basic knowledge of leprosy for 42 trainees who are Hamlet Chiefs, Village Health Workers, Women's Union Branch Heads, and volunteers from hamlets, and at the same time organized an epidemiological investigation of leprosy and skin diseases for people in Quang Lam commune.

Master, Doctor, Specialist II Ha Minh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Line Command Department, Central Dermatology Hospital, deployed the content at the training class. Photo: Hai Kim.

In 2024, Cao Bang province completed the elimination of leprosy at the district level according to the guidance in Circular No. 17/2013/TT-BYT dated June 6, 2013 of the Ministry of Health , Stipulating criteria and guidelines for inspection and recognition of leprosy elimination at the provincial and district levels. Bao Lam district (old) is the last locality in the province to be recognized as eliminated according to Decision No. 06/QD-UBDN dated January 6, 2025 of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province. However, according to regulations, the prevalence rate of leprosy after elimination is <0.2/10,000 people. Therefore, in the following years, it is expected that the province will continue to record new patients diagnosed with leprosy every year (because leprosy is a disease with an incubation period of 5-10 years).

In 2025, through community screening, the Center for Disease Control detected 02 new leprosy patients in Quang Lam commune. Currently, in Cao Bang province, there are 17 cases of leprosy, of which 15 patients are being managed for disability care after multiple chemotherapy, 2 leprosy patients in Quang Lam commune are undergoing multiple chemotherapy. Therefore, the Central Dermatology Hospital has developed a plan to conduct training and investigation of leprosy epidemiology, as well as examination and detection of skin diseases in Quang Lam commune. This is a meaningful and very necessary activity.

At the training class, lecturers from the Central Dermatology Hospital Updated basic knowledge in detecting, diagnosing, treating leprosy, and how to conduct epidemiological investigation of leprosy for students.

Through the training course, trainees were equipped with the necessary knowledge to proactively detect leprosy cases in the community early, thereby promptly notifying local medical units to mobilize people to go for examination, early diagnosis and treatment, limiting the spread to the community.

 

Doctors from the Central Dermatology Hospital examine and advise on skin diseases for people in Quang Lam commune. Photo: Hai Kim.

Immediately after the training ended, the Working Group organized an epidemiological investigation of leprosy and skin diseases for people in Quang Lam commune. After 2 days, 158 people were examined, there were no suspected cases of leprosy. The cases of skin diseases were prescribed, given medicine and treatment instructions by doctors. In addition, the Working Group and the training class students also communicated and advised people coming to the examination to know the signs of leprosy, as well as common skin diseases, especially after heavy rains and floods, so that they could proactively go to medical facilities for timely examination and treatment.

At the end of the training and investigation of leprosy epidemiology in Quang Lam commune, the working group of the Central Dermatology Hospital and The Provincial Center for Disease Control has discussed and agreed on the direction of activities to implement leprosy prevention work in Cao Bang province in the coming time, aiming to achieve higher efficiency.

Bao Anh

Source: https://soyte.caobang.gov.vn/tin-tuc-66446/tap-huan-kham-dieu-tra-dich-te-benh-phong-tai-xa-quang-lam-1029631