Don’t stigmatise lepers: WGH DC’s advice to all

TURA, Jan 30: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh has accentuated the need to disseminate awareness on leprosy while exhorting the citizenry to deter from stigmatising the ones afflicted with the disease.
Singh was speaking at an awareness campaign on leprosy at Embee Rose Bud High School, Tura, on Saturday.
The DC, during the programme, informed that gathering that World Leprosy Day is celebrated on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.
With regard to the stigmatisation of the leprosy-afflicted people, Singh said the disease is misunderstood by many, which results in stigmatisation.
He informed that leprosy, unlike COVID-19, does not spread through casual meetings or handshakes.
“COVID does not have a cure but leprosy does, and it is completely curable. Globally, the numbers are drastically declining,” Singh said.
The DC, along with the gathering, took a pledge later to make the district leprosy-free.