World Leprosy Day being observed today

KATHMANDU: World Leprosy Day is being celebrated today by organising various programmes across the country.

The World Leprosy Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of January. The theme for World Leprosy Day 2024 is “Beat Leprosy”, which encapsulates the dual objectives of the day: to eradicate the stigma associated with leprosy and to promote the dignity of people affected by the disease, says the World Health Organisation.

Leprosy is a highly contagious disease caused by a microbe called Mycobacterium leprae. If diagnosed and treated on time it can be treated and also stopped from spreading, says Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division Department of Health Services, Dr Rudra Prasad Marasini.

A total of 2,522 new leprosy patients were found in the country in the fiscal year 2079/80, with the majority of them in Madhes province. Altogether, 944 patients were found in the province, while 565 were detected in Lumbini, 471 in Koshi, 230 in Sudurpaschim, 120 in Bagmati, 119 in Gandaki and 73 in Karnali.

Head of the leprosy control and disability management unit of the department, Dr Prashanna Napit, said that the government has implemented the ‘National Leprosy Strategy 2078-2082’ to create a leprosy-free Nepal.