FG to Increase Support for People Affected by Leprosy

Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

The Federal Government would work with the Federal Capital Territory administration to increase support to the people affected by leprosy in the FCT and also to work with related stakeholders to support people affected by the disease across the Nigeria.

The Minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole revealed this yesterday while on a visit to Yangoji Leprosy Community, Kwali Area Council, Abuja, as part of activities to mark 2017 World Leprosy Day.

Prof. Adewole said that federal government would work with stakeholders to provide health facilities and other consumables to the people affected with leprosy in their various communities.

In his words, the Minister said; “ I know there are other leprosy communities that are in serious state of disrepair, I will certainly get in touch with the Minister of FCT so that together we can visit Dakwa community in FCT to access how we can support them.”

“I want to assure you that the real message we want to let the whole world know is that Leprosy does not kill, Leprosy is preventable, it is treatable and it is curable”.

Adewole explained that the theme of this year’s World Leprosy Day “Zero Disability among children affected by Leprosy” was actually borne out of the need to prevent children from being infected with leprosy. He said that since leprosy was preventable and treatable, if anybody noticed any child with such symptoms, he/she should quickly report to the relevant authority for treatment.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Persons Affected by Leprosy, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Nasir, urged Government at all levels to support people affected by leprosy with basic health and social amenities.
“We hereby call on Government and other partners at Federal, States and Local Levels to come to our aid. We also call on all Nigerians to see us as equal and part of the society. We need all the support to enable us actualize our full potentials towards national development”, he appealed.

Speaking earlier, the Ag. Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCT, Dr. Oday Achu also appealed to the Hon. Minister to provide accommodation and other social amenities to people affected by leprosy in Dakwa.