The Leprosy Disease has been around since ancient times and most Papua New Guineans only knowledge of the Leprosy disease is through the Bible, apart from that, they have no knowledge of its very existence in the country right now.
Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around your and is likened to tuberculosis (TB) because it is airborne and is spread through water droplets and just like TB, it is curable once treated.
In commemoration of the World Leprosy Day on Friday 5th February 2021, the National Department of Health and the Leprosy Mission PNG hosted an awareness at the Gordons Market in Port Moresby to highlight the disease and the fact that it is curable and medication available and is provided for free at the hospitals.
Speaking on behalf of NDoH Secretary was the Departments Manager Disease Control Dr. Lucy John who said that most times it was the stigma of leprosy that cause problems in communities.
“The main message we want to get across is that this disease is curable and the medication is available in the hospitals across the country,” Dr. John said.
“Communities must be educated on this and report all cases to the hospitals because the medication is free and the victims of Leprosy must not self-stigmatize but rather go for treatment.”
If left untreated till late, Leprosy is most likely to cause permanent damage on a person’s body including severe disfigurement and disability.
The Leprosy disease exists currently in 6 provinces; the National Capital District, Central, Western, Gulf, Sandaun and the East New Britain.
These provinces have been urged to advocate for this disease in their communities and Health workers must be proactive when diagnosing the disease too.