New Delhi: The Central Leprosy Division organised a National Leprosy Day outreach programme at Dilli Haat on Thursday to promote awareness, early detection and stigma reduction related to leprosy.
The Information, Education and Communication programme was conducted under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Through this initiative, officials aimed to reach diverse sections of society and strengthen community understanding of leprosy.
As part of the outreach, organisers set up a dedicated IEC stall at the venue. The stall shared key messages on signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment of leprosy. Moreover, the programme targeted children, youth, adults and senior citizens to ensure broad and inclusive engagement.
Large numbers of visitors interacted with programme officials and IEC facilitators. Consequently, the outreach created space for open dialogue and encouraged people to seek accurate information on leprosy.
The event also featured a nukkad natak that focused on early signs and symptoms of the disease. In addition, children affected by leprosy presented a cultural dance performance, highlighting confidence, talent and social inclusion.
National Leprosy Day outreach uses creative IEC activities
An innovative self-examination mirror activity drew enthusiastic participation from visitors. Through this activity, individuals learned how to identify early signs of leprosy and seek timely medical care.
Alongside this, organisers conducted an interactive quiz to assess awareness levels. They distributed prizes to participants, which further improved engagement and message recall.
Officials also distributed a “100 Questions & Answers on Leprosy” pamphlet, along with other IEC materials. These resources aimed to encourage early reporting, treatment adherence and behavioural change. At the same time, they sought to reduce stigma and discrimination linked to the disease.
During the programme, visitors collectively took a pledge not to discriminate against persons affected by leprosy. Therefore, the event reinforced the values of compassion, dignity and social acceptance.
Officials said the outreach reflected the Central Leprosy Division’s commitment to community engagement. They added that such initiatives supported national efforts to interrupt transmission, promote early diagnosis and ensure inclusive care.
