New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today presented the International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy while saying that the stigma and prejudice against the disease have reduced considerably due to constant work of scientists, researchers, organizations & community workers.
The award was presented to Dr NS Dharmashaktu under the Indian nomination (individual) category and the Leprosy Mission Trust under the institutional category.
On the occasion, President Kovind said, “In the fight against leprosy, we have achieved a lot over the years. We have successfully accomplished levels of leprosy elimination defined as less than one case per ten thousand population. Further, the stigma and prejudice against leprosy have reduced considerably, thanks to the constant work of scientists, researchers, organisations and community workers. However, we cannot let our guard down. New cases continue to occur and high-burden pockets of the disease do exist.”
The President also said that the major challenge in leprosy control activities lies in sustaining the same level of focus and commitment especially in low-resource settings where equity of access is an issue.
“We need to intensify our efforts towards early detection of leprosy cases, provide equitable access to appropriate treatment and provide integrated leprosy services in the geographically focused areas,” he added.
The President also said that more than the medical condition, the social stigma attached to the disease persists and this is a cause for concern. We have to become aware and educated on this disease and its different dimensions and spread that awareness among our communities. We need to empower those who have been discriminated on account of leprosy through advocacy and information dissemination.
