Chandigarh, 30th January 2025: On the occasion of Anti Leprosy Day, Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health & Family Welfare -cum – Mission Director (NHM), U.T Chandigarh, in the presence of senior officers of the Health department, launched the “Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC)-2025” at Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM) Sector-25, U.T. Chandigarh. This Awareness Campaign will be from 30th January, 2025 to 13th February, 2025.
During the launch of this “Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC)” a tribute was paid by all participants, including leprosy patients, to the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi ji, by lighting a lamp and offering flowers. A message of Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, was read with advice that all efforts be made to detect leprosy patients as early as possible. The aim of the campaign is to generate awareness to bring about attitudinal change in our society about Leprosy and leprosy affected persons; eliminate the social stigma attached with this disease and implement “Prevention of Disease, Disabilities, Stigma, Discrimination and Violation of Human Rights” the 4 pillars of National Strategic Plan.
Further for creating awareness amongst the general public of Chandigarh the message will also be spread through Audio Announcements and scroll displays through PA system installed at Traffic Lights. This year, the SLAC theme is “Together, let us raise awareness, dispel misconceptions and ensure that no one affected by leprosy is left behind”.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health & Family Welfare –Cum – Mission Director (NHM), U.T., Chandigarh urged the residents to expel discrimination, stigma and fear of leprosy patients and help them to merge them into the mainstream of the society. Dr. Manjeet Pal, State Leprosy Officer, apprised of the DPMR activities and the various facilities extended to the patients of leprosy and also urged the people to spread awareness about leprosy in their community and avail the treatment of leprosy at the nearest Health & Wellness Centers to make Chandigarh Leprosy free. Poster presentation and Nukkad Natak was presented by Nursing Students to spread awareness regarding Leprosy.
Dr. Sushil Kumar Mahi, Medical Superintendent, Dr. Paramjeet Singh, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr. Charru Singla, Nodal Officer-NHM, Dr. Madhu Gupta, Professor, Community Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr. Simrat Kaur, Head of the Department, Skin, GMSH-16, Chandigarh and all Programme Officers, NHM, U.T. Chandigarh were also present on this occasion.
