The Hindu : New Delhi News : "Need to empower leprosy-cured people''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

"Need to empower leprosy-cured people''

Staff Reporter

Seminar with a difference

NEW DELHI: In a society that is yet to fully accept people affected by leprosy, this was a conference with a difference. Social activists working in the field of leprosy, doctors, health workers and over 500 leprosy-affected people from across the country along with the World Health Organisation goodwill ambassador for leprosy, Yohei Sasakawa, sat together for a national conference on `Integration and Empowerment of People Affected by Leprosy' here in the Capital on Monday.

Organised at FICCI Auditorium, the seminar was aimed at creating awareness about leprosy so that the social stigma attached to it could be banished and cured people could be empowered to lead a life of dignity.

Also gathered at the function were representatives from 150 leprosy colonies, settlements and hospitals, covering about 15 major States of the country.

"Since early 1980s when multi drug therapy was invented, India has added to its credit 70 per cent of the world's total leprosy-cured people. But a large number of these cured people still languish outside their families and mainstream society, in colonies, free settlements or survive as beggars due to stigma in society and usually with no option for dignified living. A large number of these stigmatised people are struggling to stand on their feet, doing several small jobs creating small-scale enterprises with little help from different quarters and are proving to be social assets. Beyond medical treatment, leprosy-cured people now need integration and empowerment, their voice to be heard and the best utilisation of their potentials for national development,'' said Mr. Sasakawa, who is also president of the Nippon Foundation, active in working for leprosy-affected people across the world.

The seminar also saw the release of "Delhi Declaration of Dignity" by P. K. Gopal, former rehabilitation officer who was awarded by the President for his work with leprosy patients.

While this is the first time that leprosy-affected people are coming up with a deceleration of their commitment towards elimination of leprosy from India, the document asks for more equality and visibility for leprosy-affected people, who want to become part of the mainstream.

Leprosy-affected people have also demanded from the Government that they be given preference for jobs and that initiatives be brought in to ensure that they are empowered to lead a life of dignity, free from social disgrace.

Preference for jobs demanded

"Delhi Declaration of Dignity" released

500 leprosy-affected people from across the country took part in the conference

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