NAMSAI, Jan 30: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein today launched a fortnight-long Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC) in Namsai district, commemorating the Martyrs’ Day and World Leprosy Day on Jan 30, and paid floral tribute to the Father of the Nation.
The campaign (SLAC) themed ‘Let’s fight leprosy and make leprosy history’ and organized by the District Health Society, Namsai will continue till February 13.
The overall objective of the campaign is to spread awareness about leprosy and create a stigma-free environment for leprosy patients and their families. The campaign will focus on creating awareness about leprosy prevention, early detection, and treatment. It will also focus on creating an understanding of the rights of leprosy-affected patients and their families. Through this initiative, it aims to create a society free of discrimination and stigma against leprosy-affected people.
Speaking on the occasion, Mein highlighted the SLAC and said that it is an initiative of the Central Government to raise awareness about leprosy and create a stigma-free environment for people affected by it. The campaign was launched with an aim of facilitating early diagnosis of cases in the remote district of Namsai. He added that the campaign will help reduce the leprosy burden and foster an environment of acceptance and understanding towards people affected by the disease.
On the Martyrs’ day, Mein urged the citizens to make a pledge to eradicate leprosy from our society and to help those affected by raising awareness about the disease and providing support to them.
Later, the Dy CM also inaugurated an operation theatre and a NewBorn Stabilization Unit (NBSU) at CHC, Chongkham, in presence of DC Namsai, C R Khampa, ZPM Chongkham Jenia Namchoom and DMO Namsai Dr Nang Soreya Namchoom, among others.
Mein stated that the OTs and NBSU are a part of the government’s effort to upgrade the health care facilities in the District Hospitals and CHCs across the State. It will cater to the medical needs of the common people who cannot afford to go to town and outside district for medical treatment and minor operations, he added.
Moreover, it was informed that 15 minor OTs were successfully performed today. (Dy CM’s Media Cell)
CHANGLANG: Changlang district also observed the Anti Leprosy Day at the BSB Diet auditorium here today.
ADC in-charge M Riba (EAC), the chief guest launched the fortnight-long SLAC by garlanding the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
Placards and pamphlets were distributed to the members present on the occasion.
District leprosy officer Dr Kamlom Mossang gave a brief about the importance of the Day and the campaign. He also informed that a total of 14 villages will be covered during the awareness campaign and several messages will be passed on to the public during the fortnight period.
He also informed that two cases of leprosy have been detected, including one each from Old Sallang and Old Changlang villages, and both the patients are under treatment.
The ADC in-charge, in his speech, assured to make all possible efforts to find leprosy cases as early as possible.
On the occasion, he also flagged off a rally conducted by the students present. (DIPRO)