Karwar: Karwar Institute Of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Director Shivanand Dodamani said that lack of awareness about leprosy among people indirectly leads to increase in number of leprosy cases in the district.

Speaking at Leprosy Prevention Day organised at KIMS on Wednesday, he called upon medical students to give priority to leprosy patients and strive to create awareness among the people. They also should take up research apart from regular academics and find a vaccine to leprosy.

Dermatology Department Asst Prof Shanti advised medical students to access knowledge regarding symptoms of diseases, causes and preventive measures. As it is necessary to create awareness regarding early signs and symptoms of leprosy, they should be provided enough information to identify the disease, she added.

In Karnataka, Ballari, Chamarajnagar, Raichur and Uttara Kannada districts account for highest number of leprosy affected people, she said.

Medical students took out a rally in the major parts of City to spread awareness about leprosy among the citizens.