The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), North Eastern States regional review meeting cum training programme kick started with a short inaugural programme with Principal Advisor (NCDC), MoHFW GOI, Dr. Anil Kumar as the guest of honour and Commissioner & Secretary (H&FW) Government of Nagaland, Y.Kikheto Sema, IAS as the Chief Guest at Hotel De Oriental Grand Kohima on 29th May 2023.
CMO (NFSG), Central Leprosy Division, Dr. Lily Gangmei, gave the welcome address and highlighted the aims and objectives of the review meeting and mentioned that the training would cover subjects such as National Strategic Plan (NSP), Roadmap for Leprosy 2023-27 and Nikusth 2.0.
Kikheto Sema, speaking at the event, said that Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to man and despite advances in all spheres of Medical science, it continues to be a public health challenge with over 2 lakh new cases reported every year in more than 120 countries. He further mentioned that as of date Nagaland has 31 active cases of Leprosy out of which 90 percent are from Dimapur and 80 percent of which are Non-Naga migrant workers. He also said that India is making progress and new leprosy cases are declining every year and the country has promised to be Leprosy Free by 2027 three years ahead of SDG. He concluded by saying that government alone cannot achieve the said targets and needs the support and coordination of all the stakeholders.
Dr. Anil Kumar appreciated the hard work of all the workers under the NLEP and presented the current updated data of Leprosy cases around the world and expressed concern having 80 percent of the world leprosy cases in India but was confident that with new initiatives being undertaken the numbers would drop in the coming years.
ILEP India Co-ordinator (GLRA India) Dr. Srilekha Penna, National Professional Officer (leprosy), WHO India, Dr.Rashmi Shukla and Deputy Director General (leprosy), Central Leprosy Division, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India Dr. Sudarsan Mandal all gave short speeches at the inaugural programme.
The NLEP North Eastern States regional review meeting cum training programme will be a two-day event and would be attended by Doctors and representatives of the NLEP from all the North Eastern States.
(Morotsung Longchar, IA)
