Various districts across Nagaland observe Anti-Leprosy Day.
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DIMAPUR — Along with the rest of the nation, various districts across Nagaland, including Phek, Peren and Mokokchung observed Anti-Leprosy Day on Friday.
Phek: The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), Phek, observed Anti-Leprosy Day at the conference hall of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Phek, on the theme ‘Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.’
In her keynote address, Dr. Rebecca Sema, DVBO Phek, highlighted that the theme is a call to action aiming to raise awareness of leprosy, highlight the challenges faced by persons affected by leprosy and inspire collaborative action to eliminate leprosy, an update stated.
She informed the participants that medicines and treatment for leprosy can be availed free of cost in any DLOs/CMO office in the district.
Dr. Rebecca also stressed on the responsibility of every citizen on self-care practices. As part of activities under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) is observed annually across the country as a key advocacy and social mobilisation initiative.
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The theme for SLAC-2026, ‘Ending discrimination, ensuring dignity,’ reiterates the national commitment to eliminating stigma associated with leprosy and to upholding the dignity, rights and social participation of persons affected by the disease, it stated.
The programme was attended by all the vertical programme staff.
The NLEP Peren observed Anti-Leprosy Day and Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign at Old Jalukie, Peren, on the theme ‘Ending discrimination, ensuring dignity.’
Pehiareudi Zeliang, PMW, in his welcome address, said that leprosy is one of the oldest and earliest known diseases known to mankind. He explained about the kinds of leprosy and also how to detect and give treatment at the right time, an update from the CMO Peren stated.
Somaya Shimrah, PMW, stated that leprosy is completely curable and early treatment could prevent disability. He also informed that treatment is available for free in all government health centres.
On the occasion, anti-leprosy pledge was administered to the participants and IEC materials distributed. Free OTC medicines were given free of cost to 63 beneficiaries.
Kedunol Valeo, senior health educator, invoked God’s blessings and Joseph Kamei, urban health worker, gave the vote of thanks.
Mokokchung: Anti-Leprosy day and Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign was observed at the CMO conference hall, Mokokchung, on the theme ‘Ending discrimination, ensuring dignity.’
Dr. R Toshimenla Jamir, DPO CD II, in her keynote address, said that Anti- Leprosy Day is celebrated across the nation to give awareness on leprosy and the importance of combating the stigma surrounding leprosy.
She also stated that leprosy is treatable, curable and therefore the stigma and discrimination should be avoided.
Vitolu, EAC Mokokchung, highlighted the causes, signs and symptoms of leprosy. He also encouraged the health care workers and NLEP staff to be more active, coordinate with the masses and try to eradicate leprosy by 2027.
On the occasion, the participants also took the anti-leprosy pledge.