Chandigarh, January 29:- Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao appealed to the people of the state to end discrimination against leprosy patients and ensure their respect. She said that the contact leprosy awareness campaign will start tomorrow, January 30 and will continue till February 13.
The Health Minister, while paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his death anniversary, January 30, said that Mahatma Gandhi had immense love and compassion for people affected by leprosy. He believed that leprosy was neither a curse nor a sin, but rather it was a common disease. Therefore, he personally served leprosy patients in the Sevagram Ashram, took care of their wounds and cried with them, so that the society could understand that we have to fight the disease and not the patient.
Aarti Singh Rao said that the Leprosy Awareness Campaign is being organized every year since 2017 under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme. Every year the Government of India decides a specific theme for this campaign. The theme for the year 2026 is - End Discrimination, Ensure Respect.
He said that due to lack of correct information about leprosy, many misconceptions about this disease still exist in the society. To remove these misconceptions and spread awareness, the Leprosy Awareness Campaign is being run from 30th January to 13th February 2026. The aim of this campaign is to ensure respectful treatment of people affected by leprosy and to prevent any kind of discrimination.
Aarti Singh Rao further said that leprosy is a common disease caused by bacteria, which mainly affects the skin and nerves. It is one of the least contagious diseases – less contagious than the common cold and cough. It can affect people of any age, be it men or women.
He said that a person affected by leprosy can lead a completely normal life. If detected in the early stages, leprosy can be completely cured with multi-drug therapy. The disease is completely cured with 6 to 12 months of treatment. In the last 10 years, 4,371 people affected by leprosy in the state have completed their treatment, and they are living normal lives with their families.
The Health Minister appealed to the public to dispel the myths associated with leprosy, end discrimination against people affected by this disease and ensure that they are treated with dignity.
Haryana Director General of Health Services Dr. Manish Bansal said that health workers conduct door-to-door surveys to identify suspected cases early. Yellow, red or copper-coloured patches on the skin with redness can be symptoms of leprosy. A cash incentive of Rs 250 is given to the person who informs the authorities about a suspected case and it is later discovered.
 Dr. Manish Bansal said that currently 338 leprosy patients are undergoing treatment in Haryana, most of whom are from neighbouring states. Leprosy medicines are provided free of cost in government hospitals, civil health centres and primary health centres of all districts. 
Apart from this, micro-cellular rubber shoes, medicines, calipers, crutches and self-care kits are also provided free of cost as per the requirement.