Govt monitors skin disease

SHILLONG: There has been no sudden spurt in the incidence of skin disease in Mahendraganj, SWGH and the trend has been consistent.
Officials, however, said the situation may have been aggravated by the recent floods in the region while also attributing it to people not continuing with the skin ointment and living in unhygienic conditions.
It was also informed that there is a shortage of the ointment in the area and the government is trying to replenish the stock.
An assessment by a team of medical officers has revealed that there have been as many as 879 cases from June till August 24. The number of cases in June was 313, in July 359 and in August 207.
A team led by KA Sangma, District Medical and Health Officer, South West Garo Hills district, and Lucybeth Sangma, Dermatologist, Tura Civil Hospital, and other officials visited Mahendraganj Community Health Centre and surrounding areas on Saturday.
The doctors found that the skin infection was endemic in nature and there was no increase in the number of cases as the trend has been constant as indicated by the OPD records. According to the report submitted to the Director of Health Services by South West Garo Hills District Medical and Health Officer, the reason for skin infection is that people live in crowded and unhygienic environment as Mahendraganj is one of the most populated areas in the district.
The report said people take bath in dirty ponds and stagnant water in paddy fields and such unhygienic practice may lead to many infectious diseases including those of the skin.
The health department has said that doctors will have to form teams and visit the places from where cases of skin disease have been reported.