As regards to this year’s World Leprosy Day, President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Uche Ojinmah has opened up on the need for Nigeria to act now and end leprosy.
The association called called for pragmatic collaboration among stakeholders toward eliminating leprosy in 120 countries by 2030, in synchrony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target.
Ojinmah, who commended efforts made at controlling and eliminating the disease, called for more concerted efforts to meet the target of zero leprosy in 120 countries by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.
The media reports that the NMA had a state commemoration of World Leprosy Day 2023, an annual event celebrated every Jan. 29.
Ojinmah had joined medical doctors in reiterating the need to “ACT NOW and END LEPROSY” on the occasion of the 2023 World Leprosy Day.
The NMA president said that through pragmatic collaboration among stakeholders, it was possible to eliminate leprosy.
According to him, we have the power and tools to stop transmission and defeat this disease.
He said that the timely prevention or early diagnosis from the time patient had the painless skin discoloration would help prevent the disability which later occurs.
Ojinmah commended the effort made at controlling and eliminating leprosy, calling for more concerted efforts to meet the target of zero leprosy in 120 countries by 2030, in synchrony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target.
“Through pragmatic collaboration among stakeholders, it is possible to eliminate leprosy, but the time to start is NOW as we have the power and tools to stop transmission and defeat this disease.
“Timely prevention or early diagnosis from the time patient has that painless skin discoloration will help prevent the disability that later occurs,” he said.
The NMA president said that there was a need to prioritize leprosy, using the needed resources, commitment, and political will so that the unreachable could be reached.
He also stressed the need for sustained funding from the States and Federal Government to ensure adequate manpower as well as the availability of drugs at all times.
Ojinmah described leprosy as an ancient, stigmatizing, and infectious neglected tropical disease of man caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
