With no let up in cases of leprosy, which still carries stigma and discrimination, the Union Health Ministry is trying to rope in renowned personalities to be the face of its anti-leprosy campaign in their respective States.
To begin with, it has approached Bollywood actor Nana Patekar and cricketer MS Dhoni to promote its campaign and create awareness in their home States — Maharashtra and Jharkhand respectively.
At least 149 districts across 19 States including Maharashtra and Jharkhand are witnessing a rise in the leprosy incidents, particularly Grade -II (when disability becomes visible) and the Government hopes that the two personalities will be able to effectively create awareness among people about the disease in their regions.
For, early detection and diagnosis is the key. If treatment is started early enough, long-term disability can be completely avoided, said Dr Anil Kumar, Deputy Director General (leprosy) in the Health Ministry.
He said that his department, National leprosy Elimination Programme (NlEP), under the Ministry, has asked Maharashtra and Jharkhand divisions to consider approaching Patekar and Dhoni to lead the campaign.
Kumar said that roping in personalities will help boost the Government’s awareness campaign.
lEPRA India organisation has already roped in actor R Madhavan for the fight against diseases like leprosy and tuberculosis.
On its part, the Government has already intensified its leprosy detection and awareness efforts. After launching the biggest drive--leprosy Case Detection Campaign November last year, the NlEP is now gearing up for a mega “Sparsh leprosy Awareness Campaign” on January 30 wherein nationwide gram sabhas will be organised in association with various Ministries including Panchyati Raj and Rural Development.
“Caused by bacteria, leprosy has been in existence for long in India, but after Mahatama Gandhi, no celebrity from any sector has shown interest to raise the issue. It is a matter of concern for all of us that of 230,000 new cases detected every year worldwide, more than half, about 60 per cent are from India.
“And this, despite the fact that the primary treatment for leprosy-a triple antibiotic course called Multidrug Therapy (MDT)-is provided free of cost by the government. The person is left disabled throughout his life if not treated in time,” he added.