Govt committed to eradicate leprosy by 2030

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samant Lal Sen has said that the government is committed to eradicating leprosy by 2030.

“The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is committed to fulfill the promise made by the Prime Minister to eradicate leprosy from the country by 2030. For this purpose, the Health Ministry is working tirelessly with government, private and international partners,” he said while taking part in a meeting with Sasakawa Peace Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday (June 4) morning.

The Health Minister informed Yohei Sasakawa that the Bangladesh government has achieved great success in eradicating leprosy. In 1991, the leprosy prevalence rate per 10,000 people was 13.6 percent, which has now decreased to 0.18 percent due to concerted efforts by the government.

The health minister said, “A detailed action plan has already been undertaken to eradicate leprosy within the stipulated time. For this reason, multi-faceted efforts are underway including identifying leprosy as soon as possible, ensuring proper treatment, rehabilitation of leprosy patients, and increasing the capacity of health care workers and social awareness.”

He also said that leprosy eradication is being prioritised under the fifth health, population and nutrition sector programme.