Budgam, Jan 30: The District Health Society, Budgam observed the World Leprosy Day at the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Budgam. In India, the World Leprosy Day is observed on Tuesday, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
CMO Budgam, Dr Ayoub Fateh Khan shared that the Leprosy Day in India is observed on the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to him who had compassion and empathy for people affected with this disease.
The theme of this year’s World Leprosy Day is – Beat Leprosy. This theme is chosen to beat the stigma associated with the disease, as well as create awareness about it.
In addition, the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign, with the subject “Let’s Fight Leprosy and Make Leprosy a History,” was launched during the event. It will run for two weeks, from January 30 to February 13.
Leprosy also known as Hansen’s Disease is a disease that affects skin and nerves. It is a chronic infectious disease and also affects the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. The symptoms of Leprosy are blisters, loss of colour, rashes, reduced sensation of touch, loss of temperature sensation, nerve injury, weight loss and pain in the joints. Leprosy, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, is curable in nature.
