Nigeria Content Online

The minister of
health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Monday in Abuja, restated the federal
government’s commitment to fight against leprosy.

Speaking in
commemoration of the World Leprosy Day, with the theme ‘Nigeria at 50:
Celebrating Success in Leprosy Control’, Mr. Chukwu urged Nigerians to
join in the cause to eliminate the disease from the society.

“Let me
re-emphasise that leprosy is curable; its treatment is free and it is
unfair to stigmatise or discriminate against people affected by
leprosy.

“I will like to
assure the nation that we remain fully committed to the idea of a
country without leprosy, and we intend to continue to fight against
this disease as long as it is necessary,” he said.

The minister, who was represented by Philippa Momah, the head of the
family health department of the ministry, noted that the ministry has
introduced leprosy services in secondary and tertiary health
institutions.