End Discrimination Against Leprosy Patients, Ensure Their Dignity: Arti Singh Rao

’Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign’ to run from today till February 13

Free treatment for leprosy patients available at all government health institutions in Haryana

Chandigarh, January 29 — Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao appealed to the people of the state to end discrimination against leprosy patients and ensure their dignity. She informed that a “Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign” will commence tomorrow, January 30, and will continue till February 13.

Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, January 30, the Health Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi had deep love and compassion for people affected by leprosy. He believed that leprosy is neither a curse nor a sin, but a common disease. Therefore, he personally served leprosy patients at Sevagram Ashram, cared for their wounds and lived with them so that society could understand that we must fight the disease, not the patient.

Arti Singh Rao stated that the “Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign” has been organized every year since 2017 under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme. Each year, the Government of India decides a special theme for the campaign. The theme for the year 2026 is “End Discrimination, Ensure Dignity.”

She said that due to lack of correct information about leprosy, many misconceptions about the disease still exist in society. To remove these misconceptions and spread awareness, the “Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC)” is being organized from January 30 to February 13, 2026. The objective of this campaign is to ensure respectful behaviour towards people affected by leprosy and to prevent any kind of discrimination against them.

The Health Minister further said that leprosy is a common disease caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium), which mainly affects the skin and nerves. It is one of the least contagious diseases—less contagious than common cold and cough. It can affect people of any age, whether male or female. If not treated on time, it can spread from one person to another and may cause disability. However, if treatment is started in time, the spread of infection can be prevented.

She said that a person affected by leprosy can live a completely normal life. If detected at an early stage, leprosy can be completely cured with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). The disease is fully curable with treatment lasting 6 to 12 months. Free treatment is available at all government health institutions in Haryana. Over the past 10 years, 4,371 people affected by leprosy in the state have completed treatment and are living normal lives with their families. Just as the state has become smallpox-free and polio-free, the target is to make Haryana leprosy-free in the coming years.

The Health Minister appealed to the public to remove myths related to leprosy, end discrimination against those affected by the disease, and ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity.

Haryana Director General of Health Services Dr. Manish Bansal said that health workers conduct door-to-door surveys to identify suspected cases at an early stage. Light yellow, red, or copper-coloured patches on the skin accompanied by numbness may be symptoms of leprosy. If such symptoms appear, people should immediately contact the nearest health centre. Delay in treatment can lead to disability. If leprosy-like symptoms are noticed in someone nearby, they should be taken to the nearest health facility. A cash incentive of ₹250 is given to any person who informs authorities about a suspected case that is later confirmed.

Dr. Manish Bansal further informed that at present, 338 leprosy patients are undergoing treatment in Haryana, most of whom are from neighbouring states. Free leprosy medicines are available at all district government hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Primary Health Centres (PHCs). In addition, micro-cellular rubber (MCR) footwear, supportive medicines, calipers, crutches, and self-care kits are also provided free of cost as per requirement.