AGARTALA, Feb 9 (TIWN): Dist level Leprosy Sparsh has begun on Thursday at Sadar (Agartala). The awareness programme will be followed in other districts too.

The awareness programmes as part to tell the people about leprosy cure and precautions as People still believe that leprosy is a divine punishment for past sins and immoral behaviour.

Though leprosy is the oldest disease in the world, it is still one of the most misunderstood. Stigma generated due to lack of knowledge results in discrimination and ostracization of people who suffer from it.

However, the awareness and understanding of leprosy is often limited among communities, medical practitioners, government workers and local NGOs.

State Co-ordination Committee is made under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare of the State with State Leprosy Officer as the Member Secretary.

Other members of the committee would be Mission Director (MD), NHM, Director Health Services (DHS), State level representatives of the key partners like Social Welfare, Education, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI), Women & Child Development (WCD), Partners i.e. International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP), World Health Organisation (WHO), Association of Persons Affected with Leprosy (APAL), Senior Regional Director, State Program Manager, Non Govt.

Organisations (NGOs) working for Leprosy in the State. In addition two persons may be nominated by Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare of the State.

State Leprosy Awareness Media Committee under the chairmanship of DHS/ MD (NHM)/ Director SIHFW of the State with the State Leprosy officer as the Member Secretary has been formed.

District Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of the District Collector/Magistrate/ Chief Executive Officer, Co-chaired by CMO/ CS/ DMO with the District Leprosy officer as the Member Secretary is formed.

 District level representatives from Zila Parishad, APAL, Social Welfare deptt., District Publicity Department, District Health Education Officer, District ASHA Coordinator, District Programme Manager and District Epidemiologist as a part of the committee was present in Agartala awareness programme.