Awareness on world Leprosy Day
World Leprosy Day will be celebrated on January 26, where awareness will be raised on the disease.
It is believed that Leprosy is a disease of past generations, but according to government, in many regions, especially areas of chronic poverty, leprosy continues to attack children, women and men.
According to Wikipedia, Leprosy is a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, causing discoloration and lumps on the skin and, in severe cases, disfigurement and deformities.
According to skin specialist from Sunward Park Hospital, doctor Avela Mayekiso, Leprosy is rare, and not as common as before, but it is still a problem.
“Its not easy to contract the disease, its a contact disease that takes years to develop, and for one to be in danger of contracting it, you must be in contact with it for a long time,” says Mayekisa.
Mayekisa says the disease cannot be contracted from toilet seats, coughing and touching, but says family members and people regularly in contact with infected persons are prone to contracting it.
Mayekisa adds that there are few Leprosy cases, which are far between that are reported yearly, with patients being transferred to the nearest Leprosy clinic.
She encourages people who experience sensations in their skin, as well as skin changes to contact a skin specialist.
Government says people are still being shamed, abandoned, rejected and hated, simply because their families and communities do not understand the disease.
It adds that many people still believe that the disease is a curse or punishment from the gods.
