ILIGAN CITY (PIA)–Patients with leprosy or Hansen’s disease can be treated for free, according to the City Health Office (CHO) here.
Dr. Ardel Padayhag, national leprosy program coordinator of CHO, said there are 15 patients with leprosy that are currently treated and monitored in the city. She also emphasized that patients with this condition must not fret as they can be treated for free.
“Kung naa moy gibati nga sakit sa panit, ayaw mog kaulaw kay kana sya matambalan jud na nato. Naa tay libre na tambal sa City Health Office ug naa tay dermatologist na willing to help,” she said.
[If you have skin disease, don’t be ashamed because we can treat it. We have free medication at the City Health Office and we have dermatologists who are willing to help you.]Padayhag said that treating the disease takes six months to one year. She encouraged patients to undergo check-ups to prevent their symptoms from getting worse.
“Kung ang tao nanambal na dili na sya makatakod. Para to avoid disability, kung naa moy mga sakit sa panit na inyo nabantayan. Pacheck namo dayon,” she said.
[If the person is getting treatment, he/she can no longer be contagious. To avoid disability, if you have skin diseases that you have observed. Seek consultation right away.]A total of 189 patients with skin disease recently benefited from the city-wide Kilatis Kutis campaign of the CHO and volunteer- dermatologists as part of the Hansen’s disease or Leprosy Elimination Program. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
