Distribute free leprosy medicines: PM to pharmas

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Bangla Tribune Desk
Published : 14:36, Dec 11, 2019 | Updated : 14:39, Dec 11, 2019

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while inaugurating the National Conference-2019 on “Zero Leprosy Initiative by 2030” at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday (Dec 11). PHOTO: Focus BanglaPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged local pharmaceutical companies to produce medicines for the leprosy patients and distribute those free to help achieve the goal of eliminating leprosy from the country before 2030.
The premier made the remarks while inaugurating the National Conference-2019 on “Zero Leprosy Initiative by 2030” at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday (Dec 11), reports BSS.
“There are many pharmaceutical companies in our country which export medicines to different countries of the world and the quality of their medicines is very high,” she said while
“So, I would like to request them to produce the specialised medicines that are needed for the leprosy patients and make arrangements to distribute those among the patients free of cost and thus they can help reach our goal fast,” she added.
She simultaneously called upon all concerned including health department officials and field-level staffs to strengthen the national leprosy activities to build a leprosy-free Bangladesh before 2030.
“I believe that we could build a leprosy-free Bangladesh much before the target 2030, if we all work sincerely in this regard,” she said.
Terming the persons suffering from leprosy as a part of the society, the prime minister urged the people to treat them with humanitarian outlook.
Hasina underscored the need for creating social awareness and discarding negative mentality about the leprosy-affected people.
“I will like to tell the people that they’re a part of our society. So it’s not proper to push them away. If anybody is diagnosed with leprosy, you’ll have to treat him or her with sympathy and make arrangements for treatment so he or she could be cured … it’s very much necessary,” she said.
The prime minister advised the physicians and other concerned to take steps so that the disease of leprosy patients is detected at the primary stage. “If they are diagnosed with the disease at the preliminary stage, they could be cured fast and will not be crippled,” she said.
She said that there is no alternative to employment for ensuring development of all persons with disabilities for leprosy.
“People affected with leprosy must not be sacked from a job, rather a conducive working environment for the disabled people must be created,” she said.

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