World Vitiligo Day was Observed at Zero Mile Freedom Park Metro Station. The Day is observed annually and globally to create awareness about this medical condition. Accordingly an event, jointly organised by Vidarbha Dermatological Society and Maha Metro Nagpur. Society office bearers, Maha Metro officials and citizens attended the event.
Vitiligo is a common condition occurring in one percent of the general population. White patches appear on the skin which don’t give any physical problem to the person but may cause a lot of psychological stress due to cosmetic disfigurement and social issues. It may occur in anyone at any age. It is due to inability of production of the melanin pigment(color of skin) by cells called melanocytes in the skin.
Every year June 25 is observed as Vitiligo Day across the world. There is a lot of social stigma surrounding this condition. Similarly, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about this condition among the general public as well. Hence it is aimed to create public awareness regarding Vitiligo or Leucoderma and to update the knowledge about Vitiligo.
Shri Anil Kokate, Director (Strategic Planning) was chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Shri Kokate appreciated the role played by the Society and greeted its office bearers for organizing this day in a unique manner. Such events would go a long way in dispelling myths about this medical condition, prevailing in the society, he further said.
The event started with a skit. Dr. Atul Salodkar, Dr. Priyanka Magiya, Dr. Anshul Jain, Dr. Puja Balpande, Dr. Nitin Barde, Dr. Saurabh Jaiswal, Dr. Sumit Jagyasi, Dr. Esha Agarwal, Dr. Jerryl Banait played various roles in this skit. Dr Ashish Pimpley directed the skit. Dr. Manoj Waghmare presented his own composed song on Vitiligo.
In the question and answer session, Dr Bipin Mehta, Dr Vikrant Saoji replied to the public’s questions and spoke at length about all the myths surrounding vitiligo. The exact cause of the condition is not known but unknown reasons lead to an autoimmune mechanism getting activated to kill color producing cells in skin. Vitiligo doesn’t spread by touch.
The event was well attended and the participants were not just satisfied with the answers given by the Society office bearers, but also promised to spread awareness about this in the society.