The Leprosy Mission, Nigeria, TLMN, has warned that the disease is still very much in the country, adding that compassion towards patients is the surest way for faster healing than stigmatization.
The Community Relations Officer of the Mission in Nigeria and Coordinator of the Missions volunteers, Habila Diko said this when he led members to embark on a sanitation exercise at the Leprosarium in Minna, the Niger State capital.
According to Diko, the exercise is part of activities to commemorate World Leprosy Day marked every last Sunday of January.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s “Beat Leprosy”, he said, it encapsulates the dual objectives of eradicating the stigma associated with leprosy and promoting the dignity of people affected by the disease.
He also added that the Mission is working to uplift the living standard of patients by ensuring that they get free medical attention, three meals daily, and giving out prosthetic limbs to those who have amputated legs.
While warning that Nigerians should take their health seriously, he added that although the disease is less contaminable, it is still very much around as there are cases of even little children with leprosy.
Furthermore, the Missions community relations officer disclosed that children of patients who are in the community are given scholarships with full learning materials inclusive, adding that five of the students are now in different higher institutions across the country.
“For those who are healed and wish to go back home, we support them with low-cost apartments and some amount of money to start up small businesses so they can take care of themselves”.
World Leprosy Day is observed internationally every year on the last Sunday of January to increase public awareness of leprosy or Hansen’s Disease.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
