World Leprosy Day is observed
internationally on 30th January or the Sunday closest to that date. The
main purpose of this festival is to increase public awareness of
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. This particular day was
actually chosen to commemorate the death of Indian leader, Gandhi, who
understood the importance of this disease. Leprosy is one of the oldest
diseases recorded in the world. The disease targets the nervous system,
especially the nerves in the cooler parts of the human body which
include the feet, hands and face.
World Leprosy Day creates awareness that leprosy is in fact
curable. This day is meant to help people living with the disease to
understand that it is in fact a curable disease and to know that other
people care about them. Though the disease has a cure, there are many
people living with the disease. Leprosy holds the stigma that it is like
HIV/AIDS which is why World Leprosy Day was developed to educated
people and removes or weakens the stigma. Typically leprosy is
associated with being highly contagious and has disfigurement
properties. Once the diagnosis is made a person suffering from leprosy
become social pariahs. This is another reason why World Leprosy Day was
established.
For more than sixty years, millions of people from all over the
world don't realize how horrible leprosy is and the horrendous effects
it has on the person diagnosed with the disease. Nowadays, this
observance has been marked in over 100 countries. A research study
conducted in countries where a leprosy cure is well known indicates that
the leprosy stigma still exists. People look at this disease as a curse
and the stigma becomes even stronger in countries where people have not
been educated about the disease. World Leprosy Day educates those who
are ignorant to the diseases and attempts to demolish the stigma
associated with it.
This past year, World Leprosy Day focused mainly on the essential
needs of the poor as well as marginalized people from different parts
of the world. The focus was mainly on people who are affected by
leprosy. During World Leprosy Day people come out to show support and
care to people suffering from the disease. Social groups are also
educated on the important of extending a helping hand to people
suffering from the disease. This is the day when people around the world
make contributions to raise money for assisting people living with
leprosy. Non-governmental organizations and social groups are encouraged
to make contributions being one of main fundraisers for assisting
people with the disease.
World Leprosy Day is also meant to raise awareness on the need of
breaking the poverty cycle all over the world. Leprosy has, for many
years, been associated with poverty. To some point, this is true. Many
people suffering from the disease have economical problems. World
Leprosy Day focuses on poverty eradication especially on people living
with leprosy. Many supporters like the Leprosy Mission England provide a
springboard to thousands of people suffering from the disease. World
Leprosy Day has helped in poverty eradication reaffirming how important
this celebration really is.
