Succour for people living with leprosy

The ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development have donated mobility aids and appliances to physically challenged people and residents living with leprosy in three leprosy colonies in Abuja. Eche Enejoh is among 32 recipients who benefited; he got a replacement for his wheelchair which had broken and made his mobility difficult. Fatima […]

The ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development have donated mobility aids and appliances to physically challenged people and residents living with leprosy in three leprosy colonies in Abuja.

Eche Enejoh is among 32 recipients who benefited; he got a replacement for his wheelchair which had broken and made his mobility difficult. Fatima Haruna, another disabled woman on crutches, also got on her first-ever wheelchair.

Other beneficiaries got armpit crutches, walking sticks, tricycles, elbow crutches. They also got appliances to sustain their livelihoods including hairdressing kits with generator and milling machines.

The beneficiaries are drawn from the leprosy colonies in Karmajiji, Dakwa and Alheri, where people affected by leprosy-induced disabilities reside.

“Leprosy remains a disease of public health in Nigeria,” said Nkechi Onwukwe, director of the rehabilitation department at the ministry, in comments delivered by the department’s assistant director Bejamin Okwesa.

“As the ministry is saddled with the mandate of disability issues in Nigeria, the ministry considers the protection of the welfare and rights of persons living with leprosy in Nigeria as very key.”

It has been collaborating with The Leprosy Mission Nigeria to ensure the rights and welfare of persons living with leprosy are protected, she said at an advocacy programme in Alheri.

Leprosy remains a leading cause of disability and disfigurement. Up to 192,713 new cases emerge early, with more than 10,000 already presenting a disability because they are not found early.

“It is a most stigmatized disease, but the good news is that it is curable,” said Shadrach Dimang, technical advisor at The Leprosy Mission.

“It is painful to see children with a disability unable to go to school.”

TLM is looking toward upcoming research into leprosy care to focus on preventing ulcers, the best way to provide ulcer care, and ways to promote fast healing of sores.

It says it is working with national officials to roll out post-exposure prophylaxis across six states from January.