The main objectives of the program are-H

To engage local government in leprosy-related activities
To distribute assistance aid to leprosy-affected individuals.
Distributing information about leprosy to the audience leprosy community, civil society and among guests specially the state minister.

The organizer of the event:

The event was jointly organized by National Leprosy Program(NLP), SHALOM Church of Bangladesh , and The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh (TLMI-B)

The program is supported by:

Guests of the program

• Mr. Farhad Hossain MP, Honorable Minister of State, Ministry of Public Administration
• Professor Dr. Shakil Ahmed , Director MBDC, DGHS
• Dr.MD Zowaherul Anam Siddiqui , Civil Surgeon, Meherpur
• Dr. Mohammed Monsur Alam Khan, Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Meherpur)
• Mr.MD. Rafiul Alam (Superintendent of Police,Meherpur)

Participants of the Program
On the occasion, there were “people affected by leprosy”, the director of MBDC Prof. Dr. Shakil Ahmed, the Deputy program manager of the national leprosy program, the Civil Surgeon of Meherpur, the District Commissioner of Meherpur, Superintendent of Police of Meherpur, Executive director of SAHLOM, and Project support coordinator of TLMIB and executive staff working on Leprosy issues in the Meherpur District, among others. Participants in the event will be journalists covering the leprosy issue, the Honorable State Minister of Bangladesh’s Public Administration Department, HE FARHAD Hossain MP.
There was a total of Male (65) and Females (135)
The event began at 10:30 a.m.The program began with welcoming all guests with snacks and the chief guest with flowers, followed by a recitation of the Quran by Moulana Abdul Aziz Ali of Alia Madrasha and a recitation of the Bible by Mr. Mritunjoy. Finally, Ronald Gomes, the director of Shalom, gave a speech on behalf of Shalom and TLMI-B, in which he described the role of SHALOM and TLIM-B, as well as the infrastructure and system they have to fight against leprosy and achieve the goal committed by the prime minister to eliminate leprosy from Bangladesh by 2030.

Dr. Tanzina, the deputy program director delivered a presentation on the leprosy situation in Meherpur district and whole Bangladesh. She also discussed the disease’s epidemiology and displayed slides illustrating leprosy symptoms among the audience and the leprosy community. After that a former leprosy patient named Shelfali mollik shared her life experience and how she dealt with life as a leprosy patient. After that, Jeraul shared his life narrative and described how he dealt with life as a leprosy patient. He even described how he recovered from leprosy and got hope for a normal in phase life, he described how kind society was after his recovery. Then, Mr. Rafiqual Alam, a journalist who has been actively working in the leprosy sector, presented his knowledge and recommended an increasing number of professionals in Meherpur to strengthen the screening procedure for leprosy case detection as mentioned early case detection of leprosy can prevent long-term disability. Chairman Mr.Abdul Karim then delivered his message on leprosy. Then, Advocate Shaheen, the head of the Awamileague in Meherpur, spoke as a political figure. The civil surgeon of Meherpur presented a speech in which he thanked TLMI-B and SAHOLM for organizing this occasion.
As part of the program, Award was given to the chief guest as recognition of their work toward leprosy-free Bangladesh, and it was distributed by Sondha Mondol and Jiptha Boiragee,
Also in the program,12 goats were distributed, 10 of which were given to leprosy-affected individuals with the personal contribution from Prof. Dr. Shakil Ahmed, the director MBDC. Along with a monetary incentive of 40,000 BDT, 2 goats were also given to a self-help group for group establishment and well-being. Two sewing machines were distributed to patients as a part of income-generating support. All this aid was distributed by an honorable state minister in the presence of all guests and audiences.
The program concluded with a speech from honorable state minister, in which he expressed his cooperation and dedication to achieving a leprosy-free, stigma-free, leprosy-disability-free community by 2030. He also expressed government’s concerns about Leprosy and is prepared to assist whenever necessary.

 
Photographs of the Event: