The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) on Monday reported that there are 35 newly diagnosed leprosy cases documented at the institution.
Dr. Donna May Sarenas of the Dermatology department of SPMC explained that leprosy is an infectious disease caused by two species of bacteria and one of these bacteria is mycobacterium leprae.
“Hundreds ang cases natin dito. Just last year we were able to document 35 newly diagnosed cases at SPMC alone since other agencies are also handling leprosy. This year we are continually diagnosing new cases still,” Sarenas said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.
Dr. Silvino Rey Pino, also from the Dermatology department at SPMC, said with regards to its prevalence because it is a tropically neglected disease, most likely the cases are underreported.
“Leprosy is a tropically neglected disease. Meaning may mga kaso pa rin na ongoing dito sa Davao Region and Mindanao. Just last year we had 35 new leprosy patients from Davao City, Davao del Sur, Cotabato, and Surigao del Sur. With regards to its prevalence, dahil tropically neglected siya, most likely it’s underreported,” Pino said.
Sarenas said their efforts of eradicating the disease and to help the patients who already have the disease continue.
“Hindi pa talaga siya eradicated. To clarify leprosy is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacteria. Though infectious siya we want the public to know that it’s not that transmissible. Ibig sabihin hindi enough ang casual contact like shaking hands, sharing a meal, talking to a person with leprosy para mahawa ka ng sakit,” she said.
Sarenas reassured the public, other than that bacteria are not transmissible, around 95% of the population are naturally immune.
“Ibig sabihin kaya siya ng immune system na labanan before pa tayo magkasakit. Kaya mahirap siyang ma-diagnose kasi hindi ganon kadami other than matagal siyang ma-diagnose,” she also said.
Sarenas added that it is their goal to educate the public about the disease so that those with symptoms can be diagnosed and treated properly.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) the currently recommended treatment regimen for leprosy consists of three medicines, the dapsone, thr rifampicin and the clofazimine, and is referred to as multi-drug therapy (MDT).
“We want to educate the public na curable siya, ibig sabihin may treatment na available. We have the multi-drug therapy which is provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) for free. So ang mga pasyente kailangan lang magpa check-up and ma-diagnose ng maayos and ma-treat na sila for free,” Sarenas said.
