World Tuberculosis Day: BACATMA Says Leprosy Continues to Carry a Societal Stigma

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA) has stated that Heprosy continues to carry a societal stigma, a burden that people’s collective efforts aims to lift.

According to a statement there the Agency Programme Manager, Yakubu Gida Abdullahi to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day with a Theme: “Beat Leprosy” (WLD), Leprosy, which is far from being a relic of the past, still exists in the world.

The statement, which was made available to journalists yesterday by the Information Unit of BACATMA, stated that the 2024 World Leprosy Day campaign called for adequate attention on people suffering from the infection.

 “The commemoration emphasises the preventability and treatability of Leprosy, no one should suffer needlessly. Despite being curable, leprosy continues to carry a societal stigma, a burden that people’s collective efforts aims to lift.

“We can rewrite the narrative and ensure that no one faces needless suffering due to myths surrounding Leprosy in Society. Let’s beat Leprosy,” Yakubu Gida.

World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of January Annually, the International Day serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those affected by Leprosy and underscores the urgent need for awareness creation, increased access to quality services, reduction in stigma and discrimination.