‘Public awareness paramount to prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases’

Raising public awareness and understanding is a crucial part of efforts to control and prevent both communicable and non-communicable diseases, Health Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana said.

He was speaking at a special programme held yesterday (08) at the Lotus Hall of the BMICH, jointly organized by government and non-government organizations working for the prevention and control of leprosy.

The programme started under the patronage of the Health and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana will be implemented with the theme of ‘A leprosy-free nation’.

The steps taken to control the disease and train staff and the methods to be followed were discussed on this occasion.

This programme is being held in collaboration with the Anti-Leprosy Campaign under the Health Ministry, Colombo Regional Health Services Directorate, Alliance Development Trust and Keveri Kala Manram.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Pathirana said that the current director of the Anti-Leprosy Campaign, Dr. Prasad Ranaweera has given new life to the leprosy control drive by implementing new programmes for the prevention and control of leprosy and the public should be aware of it in order to protect themselves from this disease.

He also said that new awareness and control programmes should be introduced. He said the media can do a great job to educate the people about leprosy and the control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Together with the World Health Organization, the Health Ministry has implemented systematic programmes for the control and prevention of leprosy and although there were some setbacks in those programmes due to the Covid pandemic, they are now returning to normalcy with the commitment to controlling leprosy. He also expressed his thanks to all the government and non-government organizations that are working to this end.

Director of Anti Leprosy Campaign Dr. Prasad Ranaweera, Colombo Regional Health Services Director Dr. Chandana Gajanayake, Community Medicine Specialist Dr. Kasuni Kalubowila, Batticaloa Regional Health Services Director Dr. G. Sukunan, President of Leprosy People’s Association G. Amarasinghe, Leprosy Dermatologist Dr. Indira Kahawita and representatives of government and non-government organizations as well as doctors and public health inspectors participated in the campaign.

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