Lack of resources to fight leprosy: Experts

There is a paucity of resources and individuals in confronting the challenges posed by leprosy due to the global economic transition, experts said here Thursday.

They were speaking at speaking at the conclusion of a two-day meeting on challenges and solutions to prevent disability in the people affected by leprosy and the launch of "GoodBye Leprosy Trust" (GBLT) - a forum created for public awareness and mobilising financial resources in India to eradicate Leprosy.

"The only option left for the organisations working for the eradication of leprosy is to raise local resources, which seems promising only if the efforts are put collectively," the experts said.

"We need to widen our emphasis from individual efforts to a collective action for a social change. It is a high time that we record our focus in addition to fulfilling the medical, physical and psychological needs of people affected by Leprosy to ensure their rights and their full participation in the society," said Jose Manikkanathan, Chairman, GBLT.

"We need to realise that more resources are needed to address the challenges of Leprosy, but we are placed in a discontented situation with the inadequacy of external funds," he added.

According to the data provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are a total of 1,27,295 reported cases of leprosy across India. Delhi alone reports a rise 1,200 leprosy cases every year.

There are 850 colonies in India, where people affected by leprosy are living marginalised from the society.

Manikkanathan said that the GBLT members will collaborate with the Government of India and its respective state governments including leprosy societies to raise the funds for the eradication of leprosy from the country.

Rene Staeheli, President International Leprosy Eradication Programme (ILEP), said: "There is an immense need of local coalition to raise funds in India, so that leprosy can be eradicated from the country".

"There is also a need to empower the civil societies of India, so that their perceptions towards leprosy patients change", Staeheli told IANS.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of leprosy cases at 24,627, followed by 17,892 in Maharashtra and 17,801 in Bihar.