Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign in Dimapur launched

Dimapur, January 30 (MExN): Dimapur district observation of National Anti Leprosy Day and launching of Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign 2024 were held under the theme “Ending Stigma, Embracing Dignity” at CMO office chamber on January 30.

A press release received here stated that Dr SK Dey, State Consultant for National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in his keynote informed ‘in India, National Anti Leprosy Day was observed on January 30 which is the Death Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to honour him as he was a strong advocate against leprosy and discrimination against lepers.’

He informed that Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign was initiated in 2017 for early detection and treatment of leprosy and most importantly to remove the stigma and discrimination associated with it. Dr Dey stated that discrimination and stigma are still attached to people who are cured of leprosy and 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.” He went on to state that 56% of the world’s lepers are in India. 

“Although Nagaland has successfully eliminated leprosy from the State and is the first in the country to do so, the work is not yet done. We must strive and work harder to be the first in the country to successfully eradicate leprosy as well,” Dr Dey stated. 

Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign will be carried out in Dimapur District from January 30 till February 13. During the campaign, IEC activities such as awareness programmes and Poster Campaigns, and screening of the population will be carried out for early detection and treatment in the District.

The programme was chaired by Dr Lhishelo Tsuhah, Zonal Leprosy Officer. A newly detected leprosy patient was also felicitated during 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.