People Living With Leprosy Seek Govt’s Assistance

Some people living with leprosy in Borno and Yobe State, on Monday appealed to government for healthcare services, rehabilitation and disability care, among other things.
The people, Malam Sanusi Musa, Mustapha Dahiru, Kabiru Aliyu, Shehu Gambo and Babagana Shettima, made the appeal in interviews with newsmen in Abuja.
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nervous system, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and eyes of victims.
It is known to occur in all ages ranging from early infancy through adult life, however, leprosy according to medical experts is curable and early treatment can avert most disabilities.
Musa, Dahiru and Aliyu from Borno, who said they were in Abuja to seek government assistance, wanted to be included in the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services Programme (CHIPS).
The programme was established by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and endorsed by the Federal Government to stimulate and support households in communities to seek and obtain primary health care services through interventions at the community-level.