GAIBANDHA. July 1: The number of leprosy patients is increasing alarmingly in Gaibandha district. This was revealed in a survey conducted by an NGO.

Gaibandha-Jaipurhat Leprosy Control Protect conducted the survey in 1997 and found 18.758 persons affected by leprosy in Gaibandha district.

Many of the patients concealed their condiUon fearing social boycott and remained silent till the disease took a serious turn.

According to the survey report. the highest number of leprosy patients. 6763 persons, was found in Gaibandha sadar thana . Besides. 1752 were registered at Sadullapur, 1683 at Shaghata, 264 at Fulchari, 3463 at Goblndagnaj, 1677 at Palashbari and 31.156 at Sun-derganj thanas.

When contacted, project chief Keshob Chandra Roy told The Daily Star that the project mainly Identifies leprosy patients and renders services far the treatment of the patients.

The organisation has been working since 1995. And a total of 2.930 leprosy patients have been treated. Of them. 1091 still remain under treatment, but the rest returned to normal life after their recovery.

Apart from Gaibandha district. the NGO is also working at Jaipurhat district where total leprosy patients are 5,235. Of them. 2.930 were brought under treatment. After treatment. 2,559 patients recovered and the remaining patients are still under treatment.

The NGO is conducting 21 leprosy clinics In Gaibandha and Jaipurhat districts. In these clinics, patients are being treated free of cost.