Can general practitioners carry out drug delivery and periodic examination of leprosy patients in Raipur city?

An intervention study to improve the MDT coverage of leprosy patients by involving general practitioners (GPs) was carried out in Raipur city. Most of the GPs (84%) were willing to undertake drug delivery and periodic examination of the leprosy patients. After involving GPs, the proportion of the patients registered for treatment increased from 33% to 89.2%. The cohort regularity was 57% only which was lower than that found in the Upgraded Urban Leprosy Centre. Drug compliance as found out by the pill count was 91%. Most of the patients (87%) were happy with the services provided by the GPs.

Two unusual cases of foreign body larynx.

Two adult patients of foreign body larynx who presented to us with a short history of foreign body inhalation with severe respiratory distress are being reported. They underwent elective tracheostomy preoperatively for maintenance of airway and the foreign body was removed successfully. We conclude that preoperative tracheostomy can be attempted to secure a patient's airway before resorting to removal of foreign body lodged in the larynx.