KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli has stressed the need to make leprosy eradication efforts more dynamic and effective under the government’s Healthy Nepal Campaign.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Nepal Leprosy Conference organized today by the Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with various organizations, PM Oli remarked, “Although having fewer than one leprosy patient per 10,000 people is considered a success indicator, we will not be satisfied until the disease is completely eradicated.”
He emphasized that adopting a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and self-care can help prevent many diseases and promote overall well-being.
Recalling his time in prison during the Panchayat era, where he was forced to sleep on a cold floor and subjected to torture, Oli said those experiences had long-term effects on his health, leading to kidney failure.
The Prime Minister announced that the government would amend existing laws to eliminate discrimination against individuals affected by leprosy. He also committed to facilitating efforts to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Highlighting the importance of regular treatment and public awareness in combating infectious diseases like leprosy, PM Oli urged the Ministry of Health and Population to utilize mass media and information technology to spread the message that no disease should be hidden or stigmatized.
Comment