Sudurpaschim Region Sees Decline in Kala-azar Cases

Kanchanpur. The number of Kala-azar (Leishmaniasis) patients in the Sudurpaschim Province has been continuously decreasing in recent years. The infection is decreasing due to the expansion of treatment services in hospitals, availability of skilled health workers, free medicines and tests, active search for infected individuals, and effective monitoring of disease-transmitting sandflies.

According to Hemraj Joshi, Vector Control Inspector at the Directorate of Health, Sudurpaschim Province, Dipayal, Kala-azar treatment was previously available only in Dhangadhi. Later, the service was extended to Mahendranagar. Currently, testing and treatment facilities are available in most provincial and district hospitals. He stated that the number of Kala-azar patients is decreasing due to the enhancement of health institutions' capacity, management of necessary medicines, testing kits, and skilled manpower, as well as active search campaigns in villages where infected individuals are found.