Participants during the Anti-Leprosy Day commemorated at the Chief Medical Officer’s office with the launching of SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2019 on January 30. (Photo Courtesy/DPMU Dimapur)
SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign on Anti-Leprosy Day launched
Dimapur, January 30 (MExN): Anti-Leprosy Day was commemorated at the Chief Medical Officer’s office with the launching of SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2019 on January 30 under the theme ‘Ending Discrimination, Stigma and Prejudice.’
During the programme, Dr. Heto, ZLO, NLEP reoriented the gatherings on the objective of SPARSH Leprosy Awareness Campaign. He stated that Leprosy has been around since the ancient times along with the stigma and discrimination attached to it. The Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign therefore aims to eliminate this stigma and prejudice by intensifying awareness about the aspect of leprosy and also identify new case so as to provide early treatment.
This campaign was launched under NLEP on January 30, 2017. The campaign main objectives are to promote community participation to reduce stigma and discrimination against leprosy, enhance early case reporting and reduce leprosy related disabilities. He shared that through awareness and education, stigmas can be removed, and the number of drop-out rates can be reduced.
He further informed that during the campaign, the health workers will visit public areas such as 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 the latest statistics. Dr. Heto also appreciated the NLEP staff for their sincerity and dedication.
Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, Chief Medical Officer said that Leprosy is a totally curable disease and no stigma should be attached to it. He further stated that early detection of Leprosy is very crucial to provide early treatment. This can be achieved by spreading the awareness of leprosy. He further urged the Health workers to carry out the campaign with love and compassion for the patient so that patients may come forward and seek medical help and also to support each other while carrying out the campaign.
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.
This was stated in a press release issued by District Programme Management Unit, Dimapur.
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