By Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health has called for intensified public awareness on leprosy, urging residents to report suspected cases promptly at health facilities to prevent complications, reduce transmission risks and curb stigmatisation of affected persons.
The call was made by the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP) during a media parley on leprosy awareness and stigma reduction held on Friday, October 9, at the Situation Room of the Ministry of Health in Uyo.
The programme, organised in partnership with the Institute of Social Change, Development and Innovation Ltd/GTE (ISCODI) and Red Aid Nigeria (RAN), sought to address misconceptions about leprosy and strengthen the media's role in promoting accurate public information and compassionate treatment of people affected by the disease.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Manager for Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer, Dr. Nsisong Asanga, identified fear, misinformation, discrimination and social exclusion as major factors preventing people with leprosy from seeking timely medical attention.
Asanga explained that some affected persons conceal their condition because they fear rejection by family members and members of their communities, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment that could lead to preventable deformities.
He stressed that increased public enlightenment was necessary to correct misconceptions about the disease, encourage early reporting and ensure that affected persons could access treatment without fear of being ostracised.
The programme manager described the media as a critical channel for public education and urged journalists to intensify awareness campaigns, sensitise communities and ensure that reports on leprosy were accurate, responsible and free from language that could promote stigma.
He noted that limited media engagement had also affected efforts to address myths surrounding the disease, calling for stronger collaboration between health authorities, journalists, civil society organisations and community stakeholders.
Asanga urged residents who notice symptoms suggestive of leprosy, particularly skin patches accompanied by loss of sensation, to visit the nearest Primary Health Centre (PHC) for medical assessment.
He explained that suspected cases could be assessed at the primary healthcare level and referred to appropriate facilities for further examination, diagnosis and treatment where necessary.
Residents were advised to describe their symptoms honestly to health workers rather than conceal them out of fear or rely on unverified remedies. Early diagnosis and treatment, he stressed, could prevent or minimise deformities and help affected persons return to normal social and community life.
The programme also emphasised that residents should not panic or discriminate against anyone suspected of having the disease. Instead, they should encourage the person to seek professional medical attention and avoid spreading unverified claims about how leprosy is transmitted.
Leprosy is caused by bacteria and is transmitted mainly through prolonged, close contact with an untreated person. It is not easily spread through casual contact, such as shaking hands, sharing meals or sitting beside someone. The disease is curable with multidrug therapy, making early detection and treatment essential to preventing complications.
Asanga noted that susceptibility to infection varies and that exposure does not automatically mean a person will develop the disease. He cited research indicating that only about five per cent of people exposed under the circumstances discussed develop leprosy, reinforcing the need for factual public education rather than fear.
He added that the programme was working to improve awareness and case detection, while encouraging communities to report suspected cases early so that treatment could begin before serious complications develop.
The programme manager disclosed that about 377 people affected by leprosy were treated between 2022 and 2025 as part of efforts to control the disease in the state.
He, however, identified persistent myths and inadequate funding as challenges facing the programme, noting that sustained awareness campaigns and improved community participation were necessary to strengthen case detection and treatment outcomes.
Asanga expressed appreciation to the programme's development partners for their support and appealed to organisations, individuals and other stakeholders to provide additional assistance to expand sensitisation activities and improve access to care.
He maintained that addressing leprosy required more than medical intervention, stressing the need to confront the stigma that discourages people from seeking help and undermines their reintegration into society.
The media parley concluded with a call for sustained public education to ensure that residents understand the importance of early diagnosis, access treatment promptly and treat people affected by leprosy with dignity and compassion.
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