World Leprosy Day is observed internationally every year on the last Sunday of January to increase public awareness of Leprosy or Hansen’s Disease. In India, World Leprosy Day is celebrated on January 30 each year to coincide with the death of Mahatma Ghandi, who passed away on that day in 1948.
SLAC launched on anti-leprosy day: Anti-Leprosy Day was commemorated at the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) office with the launch of a SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) 2019 on January 30 in Dimapur under the theme, “Ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice.”
A press release from District Project Management Unit (DPMU) media cell stated that Dr. Heto, ZLO, NLEP reoriented the gathering on the objective of the SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign. He stated that Leprosy has been around since ancient times along with the stigma and discrimination attached to it.
SLAC therefore aims to eliminate this stigma and prejudice by intensifying awareness about the aspects of leprosy and also identify new cases so as to provide early treatment. This campaign was launched under NLEP on January 30, 2017.
He further said that during the campaign, the health workers will visit public areas such as the railway station, bus terminals, DC complex, hospitals and identified villages and schools where new leprosy cases may be detected. He also stated that the bulk of leprosy cases in Nagaland are from Dimapur district as per latest statistics. Dr. Heto also appreciated NLEP staff for their sincerity and dedication.
Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, CMO, urged health workers to carry out the campaign with love and compassion for patients so that patients may come forward and seek medical help.
Dr. Vikato Kinimi presented footwear to a Leprosy patient and also led the participants in taking the SPARSH Leprosy Pledge to work together and fulfil the dream of Mahatma Gandhi to create a Leprosy-Free India.
Anti Leprosy Day celebrated in Mokokchung: On the martyrdom day of Gandhiji, which is celebrated every year as “Anti- Leprosy Day” all over India, a program was organized in Mokokchung district January 30 under the theme, “No stigma, discrimination and prejudice against those suffering from leprosy and those with deformities” under the leadership of Dr. Temsuyanger, ZLO. Dr. Temsuyanger, in his short speech, said that the goal of the anti- leprosy day was to raise awareness about the disease and also to mark the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi who worked tirelessly to help those affected by the disease.
ADC Mokokchung, Manpai Phom said that Mokokchung has a large floating population from outside the district and it has high chances of leprosy being imported. He urged the people to sensitize the general public regarding measures to be taken. He also led the anti- leprosy pledge.
Deliberating on the different aspects of the disease, deputy CMO, Dr. Kibangkumba said leprosy can be cured by Multi Drug Therapy (MDT). The program was chaired by para-medical worker, Maongrenla.