BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is a chronic illness caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
It is one of the oldest known diseases in human history.
Leprosy affects patients by causing scars, weakness, and complications in various parts of the body.
To address this and raise awareness, the World Leprosy Day is observed every last week of January.
The oldest evidence of leprosy was discovered in 2000 BC in India.
In 1997, a 4,000-year-old skeleton showing signs of leprosy was discovered.
From India, the disease spread across Asia, Africa, and Europe through trade.
During the Greek and Roman Empires, people with leprosy were isolated because it was thought to be a dreadful plague.
Here in the Philippines, there is a place called Culion Island in Palawan.
Known as the “Island of No Return” and “The Land of the Living Dead,” it became the destination for over 7,000 leprosy patients in 1933, far from the public to prevent transmission.
But is leprosy deadly?
The answer is no, especially if treated early.
However, if left untreated, it can lead to complications that may result in severe health conditions.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health has programs like the National Leprosy Control Program.
Its goal is to identify patients with leprosy and provide them with free multi-drug therapy.
The campaign also aims to reduce the stigma against those with leprosy.
Currently, the government is focused on raising public awareness about the disease through health education and communication programs.
