Expressing concern over discrimination and stigmatisation against people affected by leprosy and those cured of leprosy, state consultant for National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), Dr. S.K Dey said leprosy cannot be successfully eradicated unless the stigma and discrimination were removed.
A press release by NLEP Dimapur district informed that Dr. Dey was delivering the keynote address at “National Anti-Leprosy Day and launching of Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2024” programme organised by NLEP Dimapur district Tuesday at Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dimapur Office Chamber under the theme, Ending Stigma, Embracing Dignity”.
Dr. Dey said that discrimination and stigma were still attached to people, who were cured of leprosy and that “Sparsh Leprosy Campaign” aims not only to create awareness but uplift the social status of lepers by removing stigma and discrimination.
“Unless the stigma and discrimination are removed, we cannot successfully eradicate leprosy from our society,” said Dr. Dey.
Dr. Dey informed that 56% of the world’s lepers are in India. Although Nagaland has successfully eliminated leprosy from the state and was the first in the country to do so, he said the work was not yet done. “We must strive and work harder to be the first in the country to successfully eradicate leprosy as well,” said Dr. Dey.
He said the “National Anti-Leprosy Day” was observed on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to honour him as he was a strong advocate against leprosy and discrimination against lepers.
Speaking on “Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign”, he said the campaign was initiated in 2017 for early detection and treatment of leprosy and most importantly to remove the stigma and discrimination associated with it.
The programme was chaired by zonal leprosy officer, Dr. Lhishelo Tsuhah. A newly detected leprosy patient was also felicitated at the programme. The programme attendees and staffs under NLEP Dimapur District also took a pledge to work towards eradicating leprosy from the district and end stigma and discrimination against people affected by leprosy and contribute in their mainstreaming.
Meanwhile, NLEP Dimapur has informed that the campaign would be carried out in Dimapur district from January 30 to February 13, wherein IEC activities such as awareness programmes and poster campaigns, and screening of the population would be carried out for early detection and treatment in the district.