Health https://blog.alosocietybd.org Thu, 16 Mar 2023 05:55:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://blog.alosocietybd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-alo-logo-32x32.png Health https://blog.alosocietybd.org 32 32 When is World Leprosy Day 2023? https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2023/01/05/when-is-world-leprosy-day-2023/ https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2023/01/05/when-is-world-leprosy-day-2023/#respond Thu, 05 Jan 2023 07:43:47 +0000 https://blog.alosocietybd.org/?p=237
In 2022, World Leprosy Day is Sunday 29 January. World Leprosy Day always takes place on the last Sunday of January.

This date was chosen by French humanitarian, Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy and died at the end of January in 1948.

What is World Leprosy Day?
World Leprosy Day takes place on the last Sunday of January each year. It is organised by organisations of people affected by leprosy and leprosy-focused NGOs, including The Leprosy Mission, and is an opportunity to lift up the voices of people affected by leprosy throughout the world.

What is the theme for World Leprosy Day 2023?
The theme for World Leprosy Day 2023 is ‘Act Now: End Leprosy’. We will share more details of the theme in due course. On the day you will be able to follow online with #WorldLeprosyDay

Why do we celebrate World Leprosy Day?
We celebrate World Leprosy Day to raise awareness of a disease that many people think does not exist anymore.

Each year there are 200,000 people diagnosed with leprosy and there are millions who are living with the damaging consequences of delayed leprosy treatment.

World Leprosy Day is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those affected, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and tackle the stigma that too often surrounds leprosy. It is also an opportunity to raise money so that we can be the generation that ends leprosy transmission.

How is World Leprosy Day celebrated?
The day is marked in both countries with and without leprosy. In countries where leprosy is either non-existent or very rare, World Leprosy Day is marked by churches, NGOs, and leprosy champions who aim to raise awareness of the fact that leprosy still exists and it is still ruining lives.

In countries where leprosy still exists, communities and people affected by leprosy come together to raise awareness and host events that are aimed at reducing leprosy stigma and raising awareness of the disease. In many countries there is also good engagement from governments, who mark the day through ministers and events.

What can you share this World Leprosy Day?
A digital toolkit has been created for anyone who wants to take part in the World Leprosy Day 2023 campaign.

If you want to raise awareness with us online this World Leprosy Day, here are some key facts and details that you can share:

Leprosy is curable with a combination of antibiotics known as Multi Drug Therapy (MDT). This treatment is available for free across the world. If leprosy is not treated, it can lead to serious complications.
Leprosy is at least 4,000 years old, making it one of the oldest diseases known to humanity.
Leprosy still exists! Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy each year and many millions are living with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly across Asia, Africa, and South America.
.Source: https://www.leprosymission.org/

]]> https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2023/01/05/when-is-world-leprosy-day-2023/feed/ 0 Solving leprosy’s ulcer problems https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2022/09/21/solving-leprosys-ulcer-problems/ https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2022/09/21/solving-leprosys-ulcer-problems/#respond Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:30:24 +0000 https://blog.alosocietybd.org/?p=125 Ulcers are very common amongst leprosy patients, with up to 20 percent of people affected by leprosy being at risk of developing an ulcer. These ulcers are wounds that occur because people lose feeling a part of their body. This means, for example, they may not feel if there is a stone in their shoe that is damaging their skin.

After a patient has their first ulcer, it is likely that ulcers will recur for the rest of the person’s life, causing devastating disruption. In places where walking is central to transport and work, leprosy ulcers (which most often affect feet) can lead to a downward spiral of losses over time, including income, job, community, home, family, and even limbs.

When placed in hospital wards alongside these patients, first-time ulcer patients can develop suicidal thoughts, because they see the other patients’ sad stories as their own unavoidable future.

]]> https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2022/09/21/solving-leprosys-ulcer-problems/feed/ 0 What is Leprosy? https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2022/09/19/what-is-leprosy/ https://blog.alosocietybd.org/2022/09/19/what-is-leprosy/#respond Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:21:06 +0000 https://blog.alosocietybd.org/?p=55

Leprosy is a chronic, progressive bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the nerves of the extremities, the skin, the lining of the nose, and the upper respiratory tract. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.

Hansen’s disease produces skin ulcers, nerve damage, and muscle weakness. If it isn’t treated, it can cause severe disfigurement and significant disability.

Hansen’s disease is one of the oldest diseases in recorded history. The first known written reference to Hansen’s disease is from around 600 B.C.

Hansen’s disease is common in many countries, especially those with tropical or subtropical climates. It’s not very common in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source reports that only 150 to 250 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.

What are the symptoms of Hansen’s disease?
The main symptoms of Hansen’s disease include:

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