The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) will be giving away free drugs to leprosy patients until the year 2020.
This was announced by Dr. Joanri Riveral, medical specialist of DOH-7, during a forum held last Thursday at the DOH conference room in celebration of World Leprosy Day.
Riveral said persons with leprosy don’t need to isolate themselves from the public as there are available drugs to cure their illness.
The department encourages people to visit the local health center if they begin to show symptoms like reddish skin rashes or sores which are pale-colored that do not go away after several weeks and the loss of feeling in the arms and legs.
Riveral said the department has stocks of medicines available for distribution until 2020.
The department will give away six packs of medicines good for nine months of use to each leprosy victim. If the victim does not recover after six months, he should visit the health center again.
Riveral said persons who suspect they have leprosy may take pictures of themselves and send these to the DOH hotline number 09175635676 for determination of possible infection through the DOH’s Leprosy Alert Response Network and Surveillance System program.
Also last Thursday, the department organized “Kilatis Kutis,” wherein the public may avail of free medical consultations regarding their skin problems. In the Central Visayas, Riveral said there are 488 cases of leprosy.