Presidential Proclamation No. 467 declares the last week of February of every year as Leprosy Control Week. NNC Caraga joins the Leprosy Control Week with the theme “United for Dignity” by supporting the different programs and opportunities to raise awareness of the disease and calling for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.

Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is a curable infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis bacteria, which causes damage to the skin and the peripheral nervous system. The disease develops slowly and results in skin lesions and deformities, most often affecting the cooler parts on the body like the eyes, nose, earlobes, hands, feet, and testicles. Leprosy is contagious but is considered only mildly contagious. Contracting of the disease usually occurs after long-term, and it could be months to years of contact with an untreated individual with the disease. It is passed from person to person through droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with an untreated individual with leprosy.

The signs and symptoms of leprosy include discolored patches of skin, usually flat, that may be numb and look faded (lighter than the skin around it), growths (nodules) on the skin, thick, stiff, or dry skin, painless ulcers on the soles of feet, painless swelling or lumps on the face or earlobes and loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. Currently, the most effective way to avoid the disease is the prevention of contact with droplets from nasal and other secretions from patients with untreated M. leprae infection. Treatment with appropriate antibiotics stops the person from spreading the disease. To also prevent illnesses and diseases, good nutrition and an active lifestyle keeps one’s body healthy and strengthens immunity. Included in the Nutritional guidelines for Filipinos, a nutrition message to prevent diseases through being physically active, making healthy food choices, managing stress, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and not smoking.
The “United for Dignity” campaign calls for unity in keeping the dignity of people who have experienced leprosy. The campaign honors the lived experiences of individuals who have experienced leprosy by sharing their empowering stories and advocating for mental well-being and the right to a dignified life free from disease-related stigma. The discrimination that has been recognized as a human rights issue by the United Nations, people who experience leprosy face mental wellbeing challenges due to stigma, discrimination, and isolation. They also have the right to a dignified life free from disease-related stigma and discrimination. Together we can lift every voice and honor the experiences of people who have experienced leprosy. #LVPVargas