Société

World Leprosy Day : CERAC Communes With Victims

Par Brenda YUFEH,
01 févr. 2021 12:21
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The charity association of the First Lady has handed gifts to former patients at the Yaounde Leprosy Centre, yesterday, January 31.

For over 25 years, the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) has joined the world in solidarity, to commemorate the World Leprosy Day, with the aim of raising awareness and knowledge about leprosy. Founded by the First Lady of Cameroon, Chantal Biya, the charitable association yesterday, January 31, 2021, on the occasion of the 68th World Leprosy Day, honoured the rendezvous at the Leprosy Home of the Jamot Hospital in Yaounde. The CERAC delegation, headed by one of its Vice President, Jacqueline Koung a Bessike paid a solidarity visit at the centre with gifts of love amongst which foodstuffs and clothing.
Jacqueline Koung a Bessike, on behalf of the First Lady, said it was a moment to show compassion with brothers and sisters who have been victims of the leprosy disease as well as their families. Looking at the theme of the day; “Leprosy Is Not What You Think”, Jacqueline Koung a Bessike said even after 150 years of the discovery of the leprosy pathogen, the negative myth the society has towards leprosy victims is still strong. She underlined that leprosy is not a hereditary nor an illness linked to bad luck or sorcery.
Overcoming leprosy, the representative of the First Lady said, involves more than early diagnosis and prompt treatment. It also requires changing mindsets so that leprosy is no longer a source of shame or prejudice. As such, she said the population must remove all barriers in the way of those seeking medical care, eliminate the obstacles that prevent affected individuals and their families from living in dignity and enjoying all their basic human rights as full members of society. The gifts from the First Lady to leprosy victims, according to Jacqueline Koung a Bessike are a sign of solidarity, sharing and love, which everybody in Cameroon must emulate towards the sick.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health,