Md. Sanaullah Riyad, Barguna:: Keeping in mind the theme “Leprosy is curable, social prejudice is the real obstacle”, World Leprosy Day was celebrated in Barguna like the rest of the country.
On Sunday (January 25), at around 10 am, a rally was organized by the Barguna Civil Surgeon’s Office and in collaboration with HEED Bangladesh and The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh to mark the day. A rally started from in front of the Civil Surgeon’s Office and circled the main roads of the city before meeting in the hall of the same office for a discussion meeting.
The guests present at the event were Dr. Tazkia Siddqa, Resident Medical Officer of the 250-bed Barguna General Hospital, Md. Forkan Ahmed, Senior Health Education Officer of the Civil Surgeon’s Office, Khan Muhammad Salmat Ullah, District Health Superintendent, Md. Abul Basar, Branch Manager of HEED Bangladesh, Lokman Hakim, Samriddhi Health Officer Sabikun Nahar, Resource Person of Leprosy Program Jahangir Sardar, etc.
The speakers said that World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on the last Sunday of January every year to raise public awareness about leprosy or Hansen’s disease. This date was chosen by French humanitarian Raoul Folereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Who was sympathetic to people suffering from leprosy. The day was started in 1954. Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is an infectious chronic disease; which attacks the nervous system. Especially the nerves in the cold parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, and face. However, awareness can relieve this.
