Kabacan soldier, 2 others have leprosy
Breaking News • 15:47 PM Tue Sep 16, 2014
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By:
Williamor Magbanua, The Mindanao Cross
DOHand File photo of leprosy patient
KIDAPAWAN CITY
(Sept. 16/NDBC)— A soldier and two other residents two villages ofKabacan,
North Cotabato have been found positive with leprosy bacteriaand are undergoing treatment, local health authorities said on Tuesday.
Ruth Pasion,
Rural Health Unit leprosy coordinator, said the victims suffering leprosy (Hansen's disease)were
residents of Barangays Dagupan and Banawag.
Pasion refused
to identify the victims. She quickly advised the constituents in these villages
not to panic since the disease can now be diagnosed and was not contagious.
They are under
tight watch by our health experts and being treated,” Pasion said.
Pasion said the
victims manifested leprosy symptoms such as skin sores and lumps.
Pasion said
the bacteria that causes leprosy grows slowly that it may take two to 10 years
before signs and symptoms appear.
In case of a
soldier victim, he manifested the symptom after 10 years,” Pasion said.
The Kabacan Rural
Health Unit (RHU) strengthened its campaign against this disease by conducting
education and information dissemination to villagers, especially on how to deal
and treat those infected.
We don’t
neglect or humiliate leprosy victims. What they need is support and understanding fromtheir respective families and the community,” Pasion said. (NDBC)