On 30th January 2023, Awareness Campaign was organised during the “World Leprosy Day” assembly in Salwan Junior School, Naraina Vihar.
Students were briefed about the cause of the disease, its signs, and symptoms, mode of transmission, and cure. Leprosy disease is also known as ‘Hansen’s disease’ caused by bacteria called ‘Mycobacterium leprae’. These bacteria grow very slowly. The disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose. This can cause the affected areas to lose the ability to sense of touch and pain, which can lead to injuries.
Transmission of disease happens, when a person with a disease coughs or sneezes, and a healthy person breathes in the droplets containing the bacteria. Prolonged close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months may catch a disease.
Students were made aware of myths about the transmission of disease. One cannot get leprosy through casual contact like:
- Shaking hands or hugging
- Sitting next to each other
- Sitting together at a meal.
This disease is curable. Multi-Drug Therapy, consisting of many antibiotics is used to cure a person with a disease. It is important we all need to be aware of the disease and must act in time. Timely action will prevent us from getting this disease.
So “Act Now, End Now”. A small video clip from MCD, Education Department was shown to the students during the assembly. It states 3 key elements:
- Elimination is possible
- Act now
- Reach the unreached
Students were made aware through this presentation that India is running the biggest campaign to end this disease.
School Principal, Ms. Sonia Wadhwa also addressed the students and motivated them to “Act Now, End Now”.
