He said, inability of doctors, in making timely diagnosis of leprosy, was a major problem in absolute elimination of the disease.
The presentation was made as a part of the Continuing Medical Education Programme of the DUHS and was largely attended by faculty members of the university. Professor Saleem Ilyas introduced the guest speaker.
The Australian expert is visiting and offering voluntary services at Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center, Karachi for last several years. He has observed that expensive medication and most modern diagnostic gadgets, being beyond the capacity for large majority of patients, turns necessary for medical professionals to have the capabilities to look forth and assess the condition ultimately making right analysis.
This was said to be the most essential as quite often doctors are noticed confusing leprosy with fungus and eczema besides several other conditions leading to incorrect prognosis and inappropriate treatment aggravating the actual problem.
Dr Agnes Warren, seeking due attention towards the scenario on part of medical schools coupled with a regular programme of continuing the medical education for doctors, also underscored need for proper awareness among the masses about leprosy, one of the most stigmatised ailments.
Reiterating that leprosy was curable, she said patients, followed by proper diagnosis, if seek proper treatment could be fully cured in a month's time to a year depending on the condition of the disease itself.
However, if they attempt to hide their disease and approach much latter then there is chances of amputation besides acute suffering and much longer treatment duration, Dr Warren warned.