Show cured patients in Leprosy Advertisements, Supreme Court tells Government

New Delhi: The Supreme Court said the government must send positive messages about the prevalence of leprosy in the country to dispel the stigma associated with the chronic infectious disease.

The court asked the central government on Friday to avoid using images of disfigured leprosy patients in its awareness programmes and instead highlight smiling cured patients to hold out a message of hope for the affected. The court also told the government to hold regular surveys to detect the prevalence of leprosy in the country, sensitise people to treat leprosy-affected people with dignity and publicise the fact that the disease is curable. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said regular and sustainable awareness campaigns should aim to dispel the fear associated with leprosy and encourage those afflicted to lead a life of equality and dignity.