 The Department of DVL organized a CME on Leprosy on 04.02.2016, in connection with observation of World Leprosy day. The CME was presided by Prof. M. Ravishankar, Dean MGMCRI. The main speaker of the scientific session had Dr. M. K. Showkath Ali, Director of CLTRI, who gave an informative talk on the epidemiology of Leprosy in Indian and emphatically described that leprosy still exists in various forms in india Dr. Anandhan, State Leprosy officer, Puducherry, gave an insight into the current statistics and status of leprosy in Puducherry. Dr. V. C. Giri journeyed through the epidemiology of leprosy. The importance of history taking to diagnose the disease in its atypical presentations and the need for empathy and compassion in treating patients with Hansen’s disease was highlighted by Dr. Hosanna, Medical officer. Dr. Veerakumaran, an Orthopaedician focused on treatment aspects of leprosy and interestingly, presented case scenarios and had an interactive session with PG students. The session ended with a talk by Dr. Pugazhenthan, a Pharmacologist with a special interest in pharmacovigilance and pharmacogenomics. He shared information about his research on newer drugs like metformin and SSRIs as effective alternatives to systemic steroids in the management of lepra reactions.
