National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) Nagaland observed Anti Leprosy Day along with rest of the country on January 30 coinciding with the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation.
The day was observed at leprosy Colony Kohima with the leprosy patients. Zonal leprosy officer (ZLO) Kohima, Dr. Aseno Rhetso in her speech stressed on the need for awareness and dedication by the NLEP staff. She invited all concern to spread the message that “leprosy is curable and that it is not a curse”. To the leprosy patients in particular, she requested them to tell others that, “I was a leprosy patient, but I am cured”. The main theme was to spread the message that “leprosy is curable” so that the stigma attached to leprosy could be discarded.