India is facing a significant challenge with leprosy, accounting for 53% of global cases across 125 districts. Experts are calling for legal reforms and community-based rehabilitation to break the deep-rooted social stigma surrounding the disease. The government aims to achieve a leprosy-free India by 2027, three years ahead of the WHO's global target. Breaking myths and promoting awareness are key strategies to support affected individuals and integrate them into mainstream society.
"Untouchability due to leprosy is worse than
caste-based discrimination" - Rajesh Aggarwal, CCPD Secretary
New Delhi, Jan 27: India accounts for 53
per cent of the global leprosy cases, said experts here urging the need for
legal reforms to help individuals affected by the disease.
Key Points
1. India
aims to eliminate leprosy by 2027 through awareness and rehabilitation
2. 125
districts still report significant leprosy cases
3. Early detection and treatment crucial for disease management
Leprosy/Hansen's disease is an infectious disease caused by
mycobacterium lapre that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage
in the arms, legs, and skin areas around the body.
"India accounts for 53 per cent of the global leprosy
cases. It is important to establish community-based rehabilitation to eliminate
discrimination and support the affected individuals," said Dr. S. Sivasubramaniam,
Senior Scientist, at an event held in the national capital.
While leprosy is not so contagious, repeated contact with nose
and mouth droplets from someone with untreated leprosy can spread. However, due
to a lack of awareness, there has been a significant stigma attached to the
disease, said the experts calling for breaking myths and eradicating stigma by
advocating inclusion of affected individuals in the mainstream of society.
"Untouchability due to leprosy is worse than caste-based
discrimination, as in the former even one's own family members keep a distance
from the affected individual," said Rajesh Aggarwal Secretary, Department
of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) cum Chief Commissioner for
Persons with Disabilities (CCPD).
"Legal reforms are necessary, and vigilance must be kept
ensuring early detection of cases," he added, while also stressing the
significance of rehabilitation measures after treatment.
The experts underscored the necessity of collective efforts to
break the stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy.
"There are still 750 leprosy colonies in India that remain
isolated from mainstream society," S. Govindaraj, Commissioner, CCPD.
"Out of more than 700 districts in India, 125 districts
still report a significant number of leprosy cases. These districts are spread
across 14 States, with Chhattisgarh having the highest number at 24
districts," added Dr. Shivkumar, a leprosy expert.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India aims to
achieve zero indigenous cases by 2030. However, the government aims for a
Leprosy Mukt Bharat by 2027, three years ahead of the SDG.
The experts stated that ignorance is the biggest challenge in
combating leprosy. Leprosy is one of the easiest diseases to cure if detected
in time and clarified that it is not a deformity or disability.
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