Batticaloa second highest leprosy affected district

By T.L Jauffer Khan

The Batticaloa District has emerged as the second-highest leprosy-affected district in Sri Lanka, with 140 new cases recorded last month. About 700 patients attend clinics a month, according to Regional Director of Health Services Dr. S. Muralitharan.

To address the rising number of cases, the Batticaloa District Regional Health Services Office, under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health, organised an awareness walk near Kallady Bridge. Led by Dr. Muralitharan, the walk was aimed at educating the public on leprosy prevention and control.

The walk saw the participation of representatives from the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa Traders’ Association, Batticaloa Nursing Training School, Batticaloa Municipal Council, Batticaloa Regional Health Services Office, and the Batticaloa Medical Officer of Health Office. Medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and public health inspectors, also joined the initiative.

Awareness leaflets were distributed along the route, while participants carried banners displaying key messages on leprosy, underscoring the urgency of public engagement in controlling the disease.