Scientists at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi University, have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, an infectious skin disease caused by sandfly bites. This herbal ointment, developed after five years of research, has shown to be highly effective in clinical trials, offering a pain-free, side-effect-free, and cost-efficient alternative to conventional treatments.
The research, a collaborative effort with the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Chandka Medical College (CMC), focused on cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form of the disease in Pakistan. Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry, Director of the H.E.J. Research Institute, highlighted the importance of this discovery, noting it as the first of its kind in the region and expressing intentions to extend research to visceral leishmaniasis, a more dangerous form of the disease.
Clinical trials demonstrated promising results, with 57 out of 70 patients responding positively to the treatment, and 40 being completely cured within 10 weeks. The treatment's success rate was further corroborated by Dr. Farooq Rehman Soomro of the CMC, who reported a 90% success rate in treating about 2,000 patients over four years.
Despite the breakthrough, concerns were raised about the government's lack of action and budget allocation for leishmaniasis, a disease that has been present in Pakistan for centuries and has seen a significant increase in cases following the migration of Afghan refugees. The disease is now endemic in many parts of Pakistan, with Balochistan, upper Sindh, Azad Kashmir, and the Northern Areas being particularly vulnerable.
The doctors involved in the research emphasized the need for public awareness and early treatment to prevent disfigurement and the spread of the disease. Symptoms of leishmaniasis include skin sores, fever, damage to the spleen and liver, and anaemia, highlighting the importance of addressing this public health concern promptly.
