World Leprosy Day 2023: Celebrated on the last Sunday of January to raise awareness about the disease leprosy and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. This year it falls on January 30. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.
The day is organized by organizations of people affected by leprosy and leprosy-focused organisations, such as The Leprosy Mission, and also provides an opportunity to raise the voices of people affected by leprosy around the world.
World Leprosy Day 2023: Theme
The theme of World Leprosy Day 2023 is “Act Now, End Leprosy”. The theme focuses on unity to honor the dignity of people who have suffered from leprosy. Furthermore, he requests leprosy patients to take action and treat it in time to put an end to the spread. of Leprosy, as well as the right to a dignified life free from the stigma related to the disease.
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World Leprosy Day 2023: History
World Leprosy Day was established in 1954 by French philanthropist Raoul Follereau. The main objective was to raise awareness about the disease of leprosy and teach people about this ancient disease that today is easily curable. Several people around the world are unaware of the disease, lack of access to basic medical care, and the continued stigma surrounding the disease.
The two objectives in creating World Leprosy Day were: people affected by leprosy should be treated equally and the second was to re-educate people about the disease of leprosy by correcting historical misconceptions about the disease.
Why is World Leprosy Day celebrated?
The main objective of celebrating the day is to raise awareness about a disease that many people believe no longer exists.
Each year there are around 200,000 people diagnosed with leprosy and there are millions living with the harmful consequences of delayed leprosy treatment. Not only this, but the day also provides an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those affected, raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of the disease and also address the stigma that also surrounds leprosy.
World Leprosy Day 2023: How is it celebrated?
It is observed in both countries with or without leprosy. It is said that in countries where leprosy is non-existent or very rare, World Leprosy Day is marked by churches, NGOs and leprosy advocates helping to raise awareness about the fact that leprosy still exists and continues to ruin lives.
In countries where leprosy still exists, the celebration is carried out by communities and people affected by the disease of leprosy. They come together to raise awareness and organize events. The aim of the events is to reduce the stigma of leprosy and raise awareness about the disease. In several countries, governments are also participating, celebrating and raising awareness.
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease and is caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. It multiplies slowly and the incubation period of the disease is 5 years on average. Symptoms can occur within a year, but can also persist for up to 20 years or even longer.
The disease can affect the skin, peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Leprosy can be cured with the help of multi-drug therapy.
It is transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases. Untreated leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.
World Leprosy Day 2023: Learn about the causes, meaning, treatment, prevention and more
Some key facts
According to the WHO,
– According to official figures, in 2020, around 127,558 new cases of leprosy were detected worldwide in 139 countries in the 6 WHO regions. This includes around 8,629 children under 15 years of age.
– The detection of new cases occurs among the child population and was recorded in 4.4 million children.
– Of the new cases, around 7,198 new cases with grade 2 disability were detected. The new G2D rate was recorded at 0.9 million inhabitants.
– The prevalence was around 129,389 cases under treatment at the end of 2020 and the prevalence rate corresponds to 16.7 per million inhabitants.
– The disease leprosy was renamed Hansen’s disease after Norwegian scientist Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen discovered the slow-growing bacteria now known as Mycobacterium leprae in 1873 as the main cause of the disease.
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Source: ptivs2.edu.vn