Eradicating leprosy
By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Recently we observed World Leprosy eradication Day internationally in order to create public awareness of Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. This particular day was actually chosen to commemorate the death of Indian leader, Gandhi, who understood the importance of this disease.
Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases recorded in the world. It is found that the Government has failed to eradicate the leprosy disease. It clearly shows that we have not taken into consideration the willingness of the patient himself. The attitude of our society towards leprosy patients is still unchanged.
One would find that the majority of the patients are those who live in slums and those who move about barefooted. The number of leprosy patients as detected by the Health Ministry does not seem to be correct because only one out of every five patients can be detected and counted as opined by the WHO experts. World Leprosy Day focuses mainly on the essential needs of the poor as well as marginalized people from different parts of the world. The focus was mainly on people who are affected by leprosy.
It is found that the leprosy-afflicted are physically uprooted and suffer psychological impairment much more than other categories of disabled such as visually handicapped, deaf etc.
It is true that leprosy patients are penalised and segregated by our society. There are cases where they are driven out of their own homes and are forced to beggary for their survival. Leprosy if detected early can be completely cured. Leprosy is just like other disease and it is wrong to penalise a patient for no fault of his. Leprosy holds the stigma that it is like HIV/AIDS which is why World Leprosy Day was developed to educated people and removes or weakens the stigma.
No doubt, the voluntary agencies engaged in leprosy eradication has created an awareness among the people that leprosy is not a curse and this it is just another disease but the Government should come out with comprehensive strategy at various levels of medical along with a massive health education campaign for early detection and proper rehabilitation.
It is necessary to have treatment-cum-rehabilitation centres where the capacity of the patient to earn his living is restored and re-established. Not only this but we all can also help in eradicating the leprosy by spreading the message that it the least infectious and a person should contact if a pale or red patch on the skin is noticed.
We all should remember that Leprosy is curable; early treatment ensures deformity less cure. Leprosy has, for many years, been associated with poverty. Let us raise awareness on the need of breaking the poverty cycle all over the world..
(The author is a columnist and hails from Jodhpur Tekra. Ahmedabad)