World Leprosy Day 2023: On the final Sunday in January, World Leprosy Day (WLD) is observed. The date for World Leprosy Day in 2023 is January 29. This international day is an opportunity to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. Raoul Follereau, a French humanitarian, chose this day to honour Mahatma Gandhi, who worked tirelessly to help those with leprosy before passing away at the end of January 1948.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
World Leprosy Day 2023: Theme
Three important messages are highlighted by this year’s theme:
- Elimination is possible: We have the power and tools to stop transmission and defeat this disease.
- Act now: We need the resources and commitment to end leprosy. Prioritize leprosy elimination.
- Reach the unreached: Leprosy is preventable and treatable. Suffering from leprosy is needless.
What is Leprosy?
- Leprosy is curable with a combination of antibiotics known as Multi Drug Therapy (MDT). This treatment is available for free across the world. If leprosy is not treated, it can lead to serious complications.
- One of the oldest illnesses known to humanity, leprosy has been around for at least 4,000 years. However, we believe we can be the generation that finally ends the transmission of leprosy – our target is to achieve 120 countries with zero new autochthonous leprosy cases by 2030.
- Leprosy still exists! Although around 200,000 people were diagnosed with leprosy each year before COVID-19, this number has fallen by 30% because of disruptions caused by the pandemic to leprosy programmes. Many millions are living with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly across Asia, Africa, and South America.
