‘Let's fight leprosy and make leprosy history’, with this theme the campaign against leprosy will be launched in the year 2023. The leprosy eradication fortnight will start on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation and on the occasion of National Leprosy Eradication Day. With the resolve to establish a leprosy-free society, on the first day, the Deputy Commissioner will read the message along with the workers and public representatives in all the districts. Then the leprosy-free message will be conveyed to the common people through Gram Sabha in the villages. The information was given on Monday by Dr. Krishan Kumar, Director, Chief cum State Leprosy Program Officer, Health Department, under the chairmanship of the Media Coordination Committee organized at RCH Auditorium, Namkum.
Ajay Sharma, Media Consultant from IEC Cell, Aman Jha from Doordarshan, Ranjit Ranjan Pathak, Consultant, National Leprosy Eradication Program, WHO Coordinator Dr. Abhishek, Manoj, President of A Person Affected from Leprosy (Apal) Mohd. Jamuddin along with other officers, employees and representatives of various organizations were present.
Director General Dr. Krishna Kumar said that the treatment of leprosy is possible. Its medicine is available free of cost in all government health centres. If someone has a light coloured stain on the skin, then immediately meet the health workers and get it checked. He said that leprosy is neither a curse of God nor a contagious disease. It is neither an untouchable disease nor a sin of previous births. It completely heals. Early treatment can save from disability. Leprosy cured patients are living a normal life, it is necessary to avoid its myths and prejudices.
The programme will start on January 30 under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner in all the districts. After reading the message, all the public representatives and employees across the district will take a pledge to build a leprosy free society and not discriminate against leprosy patients. After this, this program will be held at block level and this message will be conveyed to every village through Gram Sabha. In the Gram Sabha, the leprosy-free patients will give information to the common people about their efforts to become leprosy-free.