Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 26th Jan. UN human rights experts on Thursday warned that although leprosy is age-old and can be cured, the disease is still endemic in over 120 countries, with 1 to 2 million people visibly disfigured and lacking support to cope with the stigma they face.
The experts in their message said that some 200,000 new cases of leprosy are registered each year worldwide.
People suffering from leprosy, which is also known as Hansen’s disease, have a right to high-quality support and health care, they said.
They urged governments and international organizations to make sure their policies and procedures reflect this fundamental requirement.
The rights experts in a statement endorsed by the WHO and UN Women noted that leprosy patients and their families continue to be segregated in “ex-colonies”, kept away from public spaces and interaction with other people.
They stressed that affected persons had a right to early detection and treatment as well as rehabilitation and active support ahead of the World Leprosy Day on 28 January.
The experts reiterated that children, the elderly and women are affected by leprosy and judgmental attitudes and policies towards the disease, along with minorities and indigenous peoples.
