A world without leprosy is a public health and human rights imperative
|
Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant – CNS
Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease), once feared as an incurable disease, is now treatable with modern medicine. When diagnosed early and accu- rately, and treated early with right medicines, it is not disabling too. But leprosy-related stigma and dis- crimination continues to cause havoc in lives of people affected with leprosy and blocks access to care even today.
Maya Ranavare, who is a person affected by leprosy from Maharashtra State in India and President of Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL), said that her parents too were affected by the disease. “Ending stigma and discrimination for persons affected by leprosy is critical because it affects every facet of life, be it social status, employment, education, marriage, or access to basic amenities. Unfortunately, despite advancements in medicine and technology, leprosy related stigma still exists. To break this vicious cycle, it is essential to foster awareness and education.”
Global Appeal 2025 launched to end leprosy-related stigma and discrimi- nation
To mark World Leprosy Day 2025, a Global Appeal 2025 to end stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy was launched from Odisha (one of the high leprosy burden states in India) with endorsement from ministries of health of 56 countries worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa said that 2025 marks 20th anniversary since the Global Appeal was first launched in 2006 in India, home to largest number of people affected by leprosy worldwide. Since then, several Nobel Peace Prize laureates and other influential leaders have endorsed the call to end leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. “If we join hands and combine our efforts the vision of a leprosy free world is not an impossible dream- together we can make it possible,” said Sasakawa.
The Global Appeal 2025 launch, co-hosted by the WHO and Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, brought together persons affected by leprosy from many Indian states, Odisha state government’s Ministry of Health and several other experts and advocates for leprosy elimination.
Launch of Global Appeal 2025 began with the message from Jayanti Pradhan, a person affected by leprosy from Odisha. “Despite advancements in treatment, many people with leprosy still face stigma and discrimination due to myths and misconceptions and harmful stereotypes. The fear of rejection often prevents people from seeking diagnosis and treatment, leaving many cases undetected.”
Early diagnosis is entry-gate towards treatment and care pathway
Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda’s message said: “If leprosy is diagnosed early, the person can lead a normal health life. Delay in diagnosis may lead to disabilities. Leprosy is not just a health issue. It is also a social issue. Stigma and discrimination hinder the progress towards eliminating the disease and violate the rights of the humans who are affected by it.”
Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha government, said that “Indian government as well as Odisha government has a roadmap to eradicate leprosy by 2030. Leprosy disease is curable.”
Dr Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha said that “Unless we eliminate stigma and discrimination, people would face hindrances to get diagnosed and cured – and prevent complications like leprosy-related disabilities.”
Every Monday is Leprosy Day in Odisha
Dr Kshetra Mohan Kand, Additional Director Health (Leprosy) for Odisha state government in India said that leprosy prevalence in India is 0.60 per 10,000 population whereas in Odisha it is 1.48 (target is to reduce the prevalence to below 1 per 10,000 population).
Likewise, 7.4 new leprosy cases are detected in India annually per 100,000 population but in Odisha, the number goes up to 18.2 per 100,000 population (target is to reduce number of new cases per year to under 10 per 100,000 population). There are 13 high leprosy districts in Odisha. Leprosy is declared as a reportable disease in Odisha so that private doctors can refer the people to receive full course of leprosy treatment from the government.
Every Monday is declared as “Leprosy Day” so that all health services like provision of medicine, examination those with presumptive leprosy, ulcer dressing, physiotherapy, counselling and other necessary services are available on the same day.
We must not forget leprosy, says Yohei Sasakawa
“With the introduction of WHO-recommended multidrug therapy (MDT) in the early 1980s, leprosy became easier to treat.
(To be contd)
Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease), once feared as an incurable disease, is now treatable with modern medicine. When diagnosed early and accu- rately, and treated early with right medicines, it is not disabling too. But leprosy-related stigma and dis- crimination continues to cause havoc in lives of people affected with leprosy and blocks access to care even today.
Maya Ranavare, who is a person affected by leprosy from Maharashtra State in India and President of Association of People Affected by Leprosy (APAL), said that her parents too were affected by the disease. “Ending stigma and discrimination for persons affected by leprosy is critical because it affects every facet of life, be it social status, employment, education, marriage, or access to basic amenities. Unfortunately, despite advancements in medicine and technology, leprosy related stigma still exists. To break this vicious cycle, it is essential to foster awareness and education.”
Global Appeal 2025 launched to end leprosy-related stigma and discrimi- nation
To mark World Leprosy Day 2025, a Global Appeal 2025 to end stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy was launched from Odisha (one of the high leprosy burden states in India) with endorsement from ministries of health of 56 countries worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa said that 2025 marks 20th anniversary since the Global Appeal was first launched in 2006 in India, home to largest number of people affected by leprosy worldwide. Since then, several Nobel Peace Prize laureates and other influential leaders have endorsed the call to end leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. “If we join hands and combine our efforts the vision of a leprosy free world is not an impossible dream- together we can make it possible,” said Sasakawa.
The Global Appeal 2025 launch, co-hosted by the WHO and Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, brought together persons affected by leprosy from many Indian states, Odisha state government’s Ministry of Health and several other experts and advocates for leprosy elimination.
Launch of Global Appeal 2025 began with the message from Jayanti Pradhan, a person affected by leprosy from Odisha. “Despite advancements in treatment, many people with leprosy still face stigma and discrimination due to myths and misconceptions and harmful stereotypes. The fear of rejection often prevents people from seeking diagnosis and treatment, leaving many cases undetected.”
Early diagnosis is entry-gate towards treatment and care pathway
Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda’s message said: “If leprosy is diagnosed early, the person can lead a normal health life. Delay in diagnosis may lead to disabilities. Leprosy is not just a health issue. It is also a social issue. Stigma and discrimination hinder the progress towards eliminating the disease and violate the rights of the humans who are affected by it.”
Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha government, said that “Indian government as well as Odisha government has a roadmap to eradicate leprosy by 2030. Leprosy disease is curable.”
Dr Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha said that “Unless we eliminate stigma and discrimination, people would face hindrances to get diagnosed and cured – and prevent complications like leprosy-related disabilities.”
Every Monday is Leprosy Day in Odisha
Dr Kshetra Mohan Kand, Additional Director Health (Leprosy) for Odisha state government in India said that leprosy prevalence in India is 0.60 per 10,000 population whereas in Odisha it is 1.48 (target is to reduce the prevalence to below 1 per 10,000 population).
Likewise, 7.4 new leprosy cases are detected in India annually per 100,000 population but in Odisha, the number goes up to 18.2 per 100,000 population (target is to reduce number of new cases per year to under 10 per 100,000 population). There are 13 high leprosy districts in Odisha. Leprosy is declared as a reportable disease in Odisha so that private doctors can refer the people to receive full course of leprosy treatment from the government.
Every Monday is declared as “Leprosy Day” so that all health services like provision of medicine, examination those with presumptive leprosy, ulcer dressing, physiotherapy, counselling and other necessary services are available on the same day.
We must not forget leprosy, says Yohei Sasakawa
“With the introduction of WHO-recommended multidrug therapy (MDT) in the early 1980s, leprosy became easier to treat.
(To be contd)