Throughout the globe the World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of the first month of every year. Unlikely in India the World Leprosy Day is observed on 30 January instead. This day commemorates the death anniversary of Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated the poor and the sick and put lot of efforts for people affected by leprosy. The World Leprosy Day was established in the year 1954 by Raoul Follereau, who was France based activist and journalist.  He established the day with two goals:

• To educate people about leprosy by correcting misconceptions about the disease.
• To advocate for equality and equal treatment for people affected by leprosy.

The motive of this day is to propagate awareness regarding the disease which most believe to have gone extinct. Moreover, it also emphasises to spread the word that the stigma and discrimination against leprosy as a disease should be ended. This international day is an opportunity to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. The theme of World Leprosy Day 2023 is “Act Now. End Leprosy”

 The day is observed by leprosy-focused organizations, NGOs, and by people affected by the disease. Further, it allows an opportunity for people affected by the disease to raise their voices across the world.  Since most of the people affected by Leprosy are discriminated against and disliked in many parts of the world. They are also not allowed proper access to appropriate medical care and treatment, thus this special day is meant to vanish such indiscrimination and increase the public awareness about the disease and to make it easy for the sick people to get treatment and to live a dignified life.

HISTORY

Leprosy was earlier regarded as a disease that is not curable. It is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Throughout human history, leprosy is feared; a whole host of myths and misconceptions surround the disease since time immemorial. As far as the mistaken beliefs are concerned, many believe leprosy is a hereditary disease, a curse, or a punishment from God. Even after discovering the germ that causes the disease, leprosy patients are stigmatised and shunned. They are disparagingly called ‘lepers’ and many of them are forced to live as outcasts in ‘leprosy colonies’!

World Leprosy Day offers a chance for continuous improvement and reaffirmed engagement to the shortest possible abolition of the deadly illness. It concentrates on the target of allowing no child instances of related illnesses and impairments. To meet this goal, improved leprosy propagation prevention strategies and early identification are of utmost importance. The observation of World Leprosy Day works to both acknowledge the leprosy society and to boost the public’s perception of leprosy. Furthermore celebrating this day provides an opportunity to the people suffering around and facilitates them to celebrate their lives and to voice their opinion about the disease, its signs, symptoms, and ways to tackle the humiliation surrounding the disease. Leprosy is at least 4,000 years old, making it one of the oldest diseases known to humanity. However, we believe we can be the generation that finally ends the transmission of leprosy.

Know Leprosy

Leprosy is more commonly known as Hansen’s disease, which is caused by a kind of bacteria. It is an infectious disease that attacks the nervous system of the human body and spreads to the face, hands and feet. The widespread exposure to the bacteria is the root cause of leprosy.

Signs and Symptoms

• Light patches on the skin of dark-skinned people and darker or reddish patches on the skin of pale-skinned people.
• Decrease or total loss of sensation in the affected patches of the skin.
• Hands and feet might get numb or tingle.
• Hands, eyelids and feet might get weak.
• There could be pain in the nerves.
• Face or earlobes may be swollen.
• Wounds or burns on hands or feet might be painless.

FACTS

Leprosy is curable with proper medication today. Further, this disease is a rare phenomenon in developed countries. However, even today there is a stigma surrounding the disease. It is communicated by nasal and oral drips. If leprosy is not controlled, it can ruin the complexion, bones, muscles, and vision over time and permanently. There are many people who fail to receive leprosy treatment on time and are living with the damages being caused by the disease. Leprosy still exists! Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy each year and many millions are living with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly across Asia, Africa, and South America. Leprosy has left a trail of pain and suffering that dates back thousands of years. Researchers believe leprosy has existed since at least 4000 BC.

Strategic pillars

• Early case detection, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
• Contact tracing for all new cases
• Preventive chemotherapy 
• Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and adverse drug reactions
• Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.
• Access to social support and rehabilitation.

Take home message

Leprosy is curable with a combination of antibiotics known as Multi Drug Therapy (MDT). This treatment is available for free across the world. If leprosy is not treated, it can lead to serious complications.  The person suffering from leprosy deserves your care cum affection. It is the disease that deserves your hatred. An end to leprosy can be put only if all of us come together and work in collaboration.

(Author is Research scholar pharmacology. Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir. Email: aasiyabashir50@gmail.com