The National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases (NIPHID), Saye, Zaria, has commemorated the World Leprosy Day wi...
The National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases (NIPHID), Saye, Zaria, has commemorated the World Leprosy Day with a sensitization campaign at Giwa Market and Yakawada Market in Kaduna State, aimed at raising public awareness on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of leprosy.
Speaking during the campaign, the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Abdullahi Dalhatu Aminu, stated that the exercise was designed to educate the public that leprosy is a curable infectious disease, particularly when detected early.
He explained that common symptoms of the disease include changes in skin colour, which may appear whitish, reddish, or dark, often accompanied by loss of sensation in the affected area.
Dr. Aminu urged members of the public to seek medical attention at the nearest health facility whenever they notice unusual skin changes, stressing that early diagnosis prevents disability and stops transmission of the disease.
He further noted that the observance of World Leprosy Day provides an opportunity to restore the dignity of persons affected by leprosy and to address stigma and discrimination, adding that individuals who have completed treatment are cured and can no longer spread the disease.
The Director-General also explained that Giwa Local Government Area was selected for the campaign because available statistics show that it has the highest number of reported leprosy cases in the area.
Also speaking, the Head of Hospital Services at NIPHID, Dr. Umma Aliyu, advised patients currently undergoing treatment to adhere strictly to their prescribed medications in order to avoid complications and relapse.
In his remarks, the Sarkin Kasuwar Giwa, Malam Ibrahim Isa, called on members of the public to shun stigma and discrimination against leprosy patients, urging them instead to show love, understanding, and support to affected persons.
Some leprosy patients, Yarima Dalladi Paul, Malam John and Ayuba Kom, shared their personal experiences and appealed to the public to stop discriminating against people living with the disease.
The sensitization campaign featured health talks and community engagement activities aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging the early reporting of suspected cases.
The theme for this year’s World Leprosy Day is “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.”
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