Effective work should be done for identification, treatment of leprosy patients – Governor Kalraj Mishra

All India Leprosy Convention organized by Sarthak Manav Kushtashram

Jaipur (Team Newsbuddy): Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra has said that along with the identification and treatment of leprosy patients, effective efforts should also be made for their rehabilitation. He said that if there is participation of the government and the general public under a joint effort, then the nation can move forward rapidly on the path of freedom from leprosy. He called for running more and more programs for skill development of leprosy patients and special programs to make them self-reliant.

Kalraj Mishra was addressing the All India Leprosy Convention organized by Sarthak Manav Kushtashram at Rajasthan International Center on Thursday. He said that as important as the treatment of leprosy is, serving the people associated with this disease is also equally important. He said that along with serving the suffering humanity, the rehabilitation of leprosy patients is also a big religion. He said that the virtue that is gained by going to the temple and performing Puja and Yagna, the same virtue is gained by serving the poor and the needy and providing them with opportunities to live a life with dignity. He praised the activities of Sarthak Manav Kushtashram in eradicating leprosy, their self-reliance and running old age home.

Mishra expressed concern that unfortunately almost half of the total leprosy population of the world is in our country. He said that according to the World Health Organization, this disease is spread in more than 120 countries all over the world. More than 2 lakh new cases of leprosy are reported every year. He said that in view of this, practical efforts should be made for the treatment of leprosy, public participation should be increased in this. He also talked about paying special attention to the education of the children of leprosy affected people so that they can all become successful citizens.

Inspired by the service being done by Sarthak Manav Kushtashram, the Governor described the establishment of Leben Ohne Lepra by German lady Thea Kosse Muckli and the work of her daughter Astrid Muckli as exemplary.

Former Governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik stressed on creating an environment for the elimination of leprosy. He also shared his experience of participating in the efforts being made in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and across the country for the prevention of leprosy. President of APAL, Maya Ranavare ji, Patron of Sarthak Manav Kushtashram, K.L. Jain and Patron of Mahavir Viklang Sansthan Dr. D.R. Mehta also expressed their views on working for the cure of leprosy.

Suresh Kaul, President of Sarthak Manav Kushtashram, which is organizing the convention, said that this is the first such event which has been organized on the holy land of Rajasthan with the courtesy of Leben Ohne Lepra, Germany. He said that there is an urgent need to improve the current status of the families of leprosy affected people, their living conditions and to promote rehabilitation activities so that they can be connected to the mainstream of society. For this, the government, NGOs and civil society will have to make a joint effort, only then it is possible to eradicate the stigma of leprosy. The Governor read out the Preamble and Fundamental Duties of the Constitution.

In the technical session of the convention, subject experts put forth their views on the issues related to the social and economic status of people affected by leprosy, welfare measures initiated by civil agencies, laws related to it, discrimination faced by people affected by leprosy and future challenges.
The stage was conducted by Dr. Narayan Iyer.
Meanwhile,from Chhattisgarh Ghasiram Bhoi, Kerolin Bhengra( APAL members) and Shyam Bai (Champa) were also present at the convention.