Cleric Condemns Stigmatisation Of Lepers

Project director, Methodist Leprosy Centre, Lohum Imenyi, Rt Rev Nnaemeka Ajike, has condemned stigmatisation of lepers in the society from where they deserve love and compassion.

Ajike stated this, on Sunday, in his homily during the commemoration of the 2026 World Leprosy Day at Chapel of Hope, Lohum Imenyi, Bende local government area of Abia State.

He expressed displeasure over the manner in which some people disregard and disassociate themselves from lepers instead of empathizing with and caring for them.

He described the theme of the day, “Eliminating stigma, encouraging early treatment, and strengthening community support for those affected by leprosy”  as  appropriate for the event.

Preaching on the topic, “I will fight for you”, he reiterated the need for lepers to be useful to themselves by engaging in businesses and academics irrespective of their challenge.

According to him, the good news is that through proper medication, the disease is now curable and urged the inmates to subject themselves to the healing process.

He admonished people to imbibe the culture of healthy living and maintaining clean environment to avoid many communicable diseases including leprosy.

‎The director, who wished the inmates quick recovery, urged the congregation to seek urgent medical attention from experts when the need arise and to avoid self medication.

‎In their separate remarks, some of the inmates. Ogechi Akachukwu and Chimwendo Innocent, said they were being adequately taken care of and expect to get well soon.

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‎They commended the centre for its efforts towards eradicating the disease and appealed to leprosy patience outside to come to the centre for medical attention.