World Leprosy Day, observed on the last Sunday of January each year, aims to spread awareness about a disease many people believe to be extinct, especially in developed countries. Leprosy, also called Hansen’s disease, is caused by a specific type of bacteria that targets the human body’s nervous system and generally affects the hands, feet, and face. It is believed to spread through extensive exposure to the bacteria causing it.
This day aims not only to educate people about the disease but to draw attention to those afflicted by it. This date was chosen by French humanitarian Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy and died at the end of January 1948.
World Leprosy Day is organized by organizations of people affected by leprosy and leprosy-focused NGOs like The Leprosy Mission. It provides an opportunity to lift up the voices of people affected by leprosy worldwide.
The theme for World Leprosy Day 2023 is ‘Act Now: End Leprosy.’
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. Leprosy is curable, and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability.
Leprosy is an age-old disease described in the literature of ancient civilizations. Throughout history, people afflicted have often been ostracized by their communities and families.
Although leprosy was managed differently in the past, the first breakthrough occurred in the 1940s with the development of the medicine dapsone. The duration of treatment lasted many years, often a lifetime, making compliance difficult. In the 1960s, M. leprae started to develop resistance to dapsone, the only known anti-leprosy medicine at that time. In the early 1960s, rifampicin and clofazimine were discovered and subsequently added to the treatment regimen, which was later labeled as multidrug therapy (MDT).
Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy every year, and 2-3 million people live with leprosy-related disabilities. Leprosy is the leading cause of preventable disability in the world.
There are too many misconceptions about Leprosy, and this is the perfect time for those myths to be busted so that people living with Leprosy receive an equal opportunity in society. The social discrimination of those infected has to be weeded out to allow patients to live with dignity. It is crucial to spread awareness about Leprosy for this reason. World Leprosy Day provides a platform for creating an inclusive society that treats the afflicted with the respect they deserve.
The day is marked in both countries with and without leprosy. In countries where leprosy is either non-existent or very rare, World Leprosy Day is marked by churches, NGOs, and leprosy champions who aim to raise awareness of the fact that leprosy still exists and it is still ruining lives.
In countries where leprosy still exists, communities and people affected by leprosy come together to raise awareness and host events aimed at reducing leprosy stigma and raising awareness of the disease. In many countries, there is good engagement from governments, who mark the day through ministers and events.
If you want to raise awareness with us online this World Leprosy Day, here are some key facts and details that you can share:
Sources:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-leprosy-day
https://www.leprosymission.org/
https://www.leprosymission.org/leprosy-champions/world-leprosy-day/