World Anti-Leprosy Day Observed to focus Attention on Disease

30 January 2013: World anti Leprosy Day was observed to focus on disease.

World anti Leprosy Day was observed on 30 January 2013 to focus attention and create awareness about the air-borne disease. The day is chosen in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, who took a keen interest in the eradication of leprosy and the plight of people affected by it. Several programmes are being organised across India to galvanise people to fight the stigma and discrimination against leprosy which is now completely curable.

Latest data by the National Leprosy Eradication Programme   stated that there was a marginal reduction of 1.24 per cent in Annual New Case Detection Rate. In 2011-12, it stood at 10.35 per lakh population as against 10.48 in 2010-11. In order to contain spread of the disease, ASHA workers under the National Rural Health Mission are being involved in the anti-Leprosy programme. Treatment of leprosy is available free of cost in all government health facilities.