Leprosy patients need empowerment, not just sympathy, speakers say

In Kathmandu, speakers at a program advocated for empowering individuals affected by leprosy through social security and self-sufficiency initiatives. Former chief justice Kalyan Shrestha highlighted that people with leprosy often face social exclusion and are deprived of education, health, and employment, stressing the imperative of legal guarantees to uphold their rights and dignity.

"Nepali society has a negative perspective towards leprosy, so it needs changing," Shrestha stated, urging the government to provide empowerment alongside social justice. Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolis, Sunita Dangol, reframed leprosy as a distinct health condition rather than a problem, asserting that affected individuals must be granted rights and opportunities.

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Nepali society has a negative perspective towards leprosy, so it needs changing.

Former finance secretary Sishir Dhungana proposed self-entrepreneurship programs, seed money, and concessional loans as crucial measures. He also emphasized the importance of skill development training and employment to enhance living standards, noting that managed marketing for their products would ensure income. The program noted that approximately 200,000 people in Nepal are affected by leprosy, with 30,000 disabled and 2,000-2,500 new cases annually. Madhes Province still reports over one person in 10,000 contracting the disease.

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Such people must be provided rights and opportunities.