Don’t forget leprosy

The Coronavirus pandemic's social and economic disruptions have been especially hard on leprosy patients and their families, many of whom were already vulnerable. Government-imposed restrictions have hampered their access to treatment and care, deprived them of employment possibilities, and aggravated the already dire conditions in their neglected areas.

In August 2021, a campaign named "Don't forget leprosy" was started. The campaign attempts to put leprosy in the spotlight during the COVID-19 outbreak and not ignore the disease's victims. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in September 2021 that new cases fell 37% from the previous year. However, the pandemic has interrupted leprosy control methods in several nations, including case detection and treatment. These programmes must continue since delays in detection and treatment might cause irreparable physical disability. That is why it is crucial seeking government and medical assistance for the "Don't forget leprosy" campaign.

Leprosy is an infectious illness caused by the bacteria M. leprae. But, even if exposed to leprosy bacilli, most people will not get the illness. What makes leprosy so challenging is the prejudice that comes with it. If we can tackle the leprosy discrimination issue, we can solve all human rights issues globally.