Over three million people living with undiagnosed leprosy as Kogi Records 20 new cases

Over three million people across the world are said to be living with undiagnosed leprosy, even as no fewer than 20 new cases of the disease have been recorded in Kogi State between January and November this year, Fresh Angle International understands.

The statistics was disclosed by the State (Kogi State) Program Officer, Leprosy Mission Nigeria, LMN, Mrs. Hannah Fashona, while briefing newsmen in Lokoja, Kogi State, earlier today, Monday November 16, at the COVID-19 response palliatives distribution for communities of persons affected by leprosy and disabilities in Kogi State.

While noting that leprosy causes more damage to the health, livelihood and future of those suffering it, Fashona stated that LMN was determined to ensure that Nigeria is free from the disease, adding that the State Referrer Center located in Ochadamu, Eastern flank of Kogi State, had succeeded in treating some patients affected with the disease. 

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the LMN Program Officer, added that more than 600 people are diagnosed of leprosy in the world daily, saying over 50 of the six hundred people are children.

Fashona explained that Leprosy Mission Nigeria was embarking on daily research to achieve zero leprosy in the world, just as she faulted the claim of the Federal Government that Nigeria has attained zero elimination campaign of leprosy in the country.

"The issue in Nigeria is not only limited to leprosy alone. The Federal Ministry of Health recently said they have recorded zero elimination campaign of leprosy, whereas, day-in, day-out, we record new cases, of which children are largely involved. 

"Some of this patients don't come when it is early, they come when it is either grade one or grade two disabilities. They must have gone round the whole herbalists, before somebody will refer them to our Referrer Centre in Ochadamu for them to get solution. The Federal Government has to come in to achieve that zero elimination campaign and should not be by lip service".

On why Leprosy Mission Nigeria in collaboration with TBF Thompson Foundation, is distributing palliatives to persons affected with leprosy and disabilities, Fashona maintained that COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many lives in the world, including the rich, poor and the less privileged.

She said the palliatives will be distributed to the most vulnerable persons of leprosy and people leaving with disabilities in Kogi State.

"If this pandemic could cripple businesses, nations across the world, how much more people of this caliber. It is obvious that their own situation will be terrible. This is why the Leprosy Mission Nigeria decided to come up with this to cushion the effect of outbreak of Coronavirus.

"As I speak to you, over 80 household across the three senatorial districts (Kogi State) will benefit from this palliatives. This will go a long way at reducing hunger in the land", she averred.

Receiving the palliatives on behalf of the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatima Buba, who was represented by a Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Adegbola Elizabeth Fumilayo, thanked the donors for the kind gesture, just as she tasked the beneficiaries to always remember them in prayers.

Adegbola however warned the beneficiaries not to sell the items, saying it is meant for their household consumption. 

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Kogi NGO Network, Mr. Idris Buraina, commended TLM Nigeria for their continuous intervention at ameliorating the sufferings of the less privileged in the state, stressing that, Civil Societies will continue to partner with them to achieve zero leprosy in Nigeria.

Items distributed include packs of rice, beans, garri, cartons of noodles, vegetable oil, seasoning, sugar, salt and personal hygiene materials.

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