FG to award leprosy-cured certificates to aid former patients

The ministry of health is considering certificates for people cured of leprosy to be able to return to society without facing discrimination or marginalization. Speaking during a visit to Alheri, an independent community of people affected by leprosy sited in Yangoji, minister of state for health Osagie Ehanire said he would advocate for the certificates […]

The ministry of health is considering certificates for people cured of leprosy to be able to return to society without facing discrimination or marginalization.

Speaking during a visit to Alheri, an independent community of people affected by leprosy sited in Yangoji, minister of state for health Osagie Ehanire said he would advocate for the certificates to those cured “to ease social re-integration and opportunities for education and opportunities for work in communities.”

“People cured of leprosy are not infectious. They will transmit the disease, and there should be no need to stigmatise and exclude them from society.”

It is the first visit by any top-ranking official to the community in efforts to raise awareness about the neglect of leprosy and social exclusion of people affected by the disease.

On arrival Ehanire shook hands with leaders of Alheri community, all previously cured of leprosy, explaining later, “People cured of leprosy are not infectious. They will transmit the disease, and there should be no need to stigmatise and exclude them from society.”

“The problem of this community is disability after they have been cured. Many have lost digits and are not able to do regular activities and need special measures to teach them new skills and re-integrate them into society.”

It comes amidst concerns that leprosy-related deformities which result from late detection of the disease and persist even after successful treatment and cure make people reluctant to socialize with anyone even cured of the disease.

The certificate is expected to a holder’s photograph embossed and is expected issued “as soon as possible”, said Dr Gabriel Akang, coordinator of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, which coordinates leprosy-elimination programmes.

“It could be something they can show, to say, ‘look, I have been cured,’” Akang said.

Dr Moses Onoh, coordinator of The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, which caters for residents of Alheri, prejudice against the community’s residents was keeping from returning to full, independent lives.

“They are disfigured, deprive, discriminated against and stigmatized, so the access to social service that all of us access is difficult for them,” said Onoh.