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DIMAPUR — Along with the rest of the nation, Phek district under the National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP) has observed ‘Anti-Leprosy Day and Sparsh leprosy awareness campaign’ on January 30 in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office on the theme “Ending stigma, embracing dignity.”
An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Phek, stated that ‘Anti-Leprosy Day’ is observed every year on January 30 with an aim to address the issues of stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy and also raise awareness among the people which is affecting the community at large in many aspects of life due to lack of awareness and knowledge.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ebenezer Phesao, DTO of Phek, highlighted the participants on the theme and shared the origin, causative agent, signs and symptoms, treatment and its complication. He also stressed on the stigma associated with the disease and how to take corrective measures.
Dr. Phesao further informed that leprosy is curable and appealed to all the participants to strive together to achieve a leprosy-free world.
Kuko Mero, deputy commissioner of Phek, assured his support towards the programme and encouraged all the staff to give their best efforts to end leprosy.
It stated that anti-leprosy pledge was administered to all the participants during the programme.
Report also informed that the Sparsh leprosy awareness campaign (SLAC) would be implemented across the district till February 13 in all the five blocks. It stated that various awareness activities would be carried out by the healthcare workers.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Sede Rupreo, DPM (NHM), while an invocation prayer was said by Wavitho, pastor of PBC Phek. The programme was chaired by Kuduvo Kezo, DPO DAPCU, and concluded with a vote of thanks pronounced by Dihutho, Sr.PMS (NLEP)