Ebonyi State government, yesterday, said a total of 543 leprosy cases had so far been registered in the state between 2015 and 2016 for treatment. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike, disclosed this in Abakaliki while briefing journalists on this year’s World Leprosy Day.
He noted that 2,021 ex-leprosy patients with various disabilities require social economic rehabilitation in the state and that the government was doing everything possible to rehabilitate them.
He said leprosy was treatable and curable but that some of the disabilities cannot easily be treated as they cause permanent damage to the peripheral nerves and skin.
“We have been doing a lot to rehabilitate those with permanent disabilities. Every year, we erect at least six buildings to rehabilitate these patients in their various homes.”
He disclosed that six more buildings will be built for the patients by the state government as captured by this year’s budget. He regretted that most of the patients have lost their jobs because of the stigma associated with the ailment and called for elimination of stigmatization against the patients.
