World Leprosy Day: WHO help sought against leprosy

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi stressed on Saturday the need to carry out in-depth research on medicines while assuring measures to fight against leprosy on World Leprosy Day.

Talking at King Edward Medical College (KEMC), Elahi said that the government had prioritised the health sector and allocated a budget of one billion to purchase hospital equipment. He said that after the elimination of polio, the government would launch a campaign against hepatitis, leprosy and other diseases.

Referring to the recently accorded university status for KEMC, Elahi said that a bill to this effect had been presented in the House and would be approved in the next session.

Dr Tahir Ali Javed, the Punjab minister for Health, and Dermatology professors, IA Naveed and Atif Kazmi, also spoke on the occasion.

“The government is paying special attention to create international standard training facilities for doctors,” said Dr Tahir Ali Javed adding, “This will enable them to remain in touch with the latest research and developments in the health sector.”

Javed said that help and resources would also be provided to District Headquarter and Tehsil Headquarter (DHQ and THQ) hospitals to eliminate leprosy with the cooperation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international donor institutions. He said that the department would launch an awareness campaign about precautionary measures against leprosy. He added that the people should be informed about the Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) being provided free-of-cost at all health centres.

The minister said that the government would cooperate with WHO and other agencies to hold seminars and workshops for an effective a campaign to eliminate leprosy from the country.

World Leprosy Day was observed globally on January 29 to create awareness about skin problems. Various health and non-government organisations (NGOs) had arranged walks and health seminars to create public awareness about the disease. app

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